AR-News: Ontarians support ban on sport hunting wolves

[Barry Kent MacKay]

Media Release


Ontarians support ban on sport hunting wolves


Earthroots releases new poll on attitudes towards wolf protection

(For Immediate Release: May 10th, 2004 - Toronto). Earthroots is calling
on the Ontario government to implement a comprehensive protection plan
for wolves. Today, the environmental group released a province-wide poll
that surveyed Ontarians' attitudes about wolves and the government's
management of the species. Key findings from the survey conducted by
Oraclepoll Research of Sudbury, include:

> 90.4% of Ontarians support permanent protection for species at risk
like the Eastern Canadian wolf (Algonquin wolf).
> 88% strongly oppose the practice of sport hunting wolves and more than
70% want an end to the practice of baiting and using dogs to hunt
wolves.
> 82% strongly oppose killing wolves in order to sell their pelts.
> 88% favour having a sustainable wolf management program, as most do
not see that enough is currently being done now to manage wolves.
> 74% support protecting more wolf habitat.
> A strong majority also want bag limits, kills to be reported and
closing the spring season when pups are born.

On March 3rd, 2004 Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, David Ramsay
announced his intentions to permanently ban the hunting and trapping of
wolves in townships surrounding Algonquin Provincial Park. Research had
shown that the park's wolf population was declining and that high levels
of hunting and trapping in areas adjacent to the park threatened their
sustainability.

"We are very pleased that Minister Ramsay listened to the people of
Ontario when he acted to protect the wolves in Algonquin," said Melissa
Tkachyk, Wilderness Campaigner with Earthroots. "Earthroots hopes this
will be the first step towards the implementation of a province-wide
wolf protection strategy which has strong public support."

Despite, their significant role in the ecosystem, Ontario's wildlife
laws do not provide any protection to wolves that range beyond limited
park areas. It remains a virtual open season for hunting and trapping
wolves in much of Ontario and there are no quotas or bag limits to
restrict the harvest. The province does not know how many Eastern or
Gray wolves are killed each year (whether for sport, property
protection, or because they are perceived as vermin).

"Even the raccoon has been afforded more protection than wolves under
Ontario's wildlife laws," said Tkachyk. "At the very least, wolves
deserve no less respect and consideration as the other wildlife
species." A strong majority (89%) are of the opinion that wolves should
receive at least the same or more protection as other species in
Ontario.

 A high number of Ontarians oppose the killing of wolves for the sale of
their pelts. There was especially strong opposition to killing wolves
for sport, including 70% of those that live in a household with someone
who has a hunting licence.

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For more information contact:
Melissa Tkachyk (Ta-caw-chik) - 416-599-0152 x12 (office) / 416-819-7424
(cell)
Paul Seccaspina of OraclePoll can answer technical questions related to
the poll at (705)-674-9591
Visit Earthroots' Wolves Ontario! Website: www.wolvesontario.org  



_______________________________________

  Barry Kent MacKay
  Canadian Representative 
  Animal Protection Institute 
  www.api4animals.org