Surely she has seen a predator pull down and eat a prey animal. They aren't too fussy about the prey being dead when they start eating.

She'd probably offer the lion some tofu.

Originally Posted by Charge 7

She'd probably offer the lion some tofu.

By the way Charge, I heard on the news this morning that some governmental group, probably Interior Ministry wants to "re-introduce" grey wolves into Vermont and several other States. As far as I know, there never was Grey Wolves permanently in Vermont or the states around it. These things are larger than most other wolf species and capable of pulling down a big calf not to mention a pet or little kid. I'm going to check into this more. I just don't think people are that stupid.

Originally Posted by Missileer

By the way Charge, I heard on the news this morning that some governmental group, probably Interior Ministry wants to "re-introduce" grey wolves into Vermont and several other States. As far as I know, there never was Grey Wolves permanently in Vermont or the states around it. These things are larger than most other wolf species and capable of pulling down a big calf not to mention a pet or little kid. I'm going to check into this more. I just don't think people are that stupid.

This is a good idea. Wolfs dont attack people thats a myth. We have Coyotes, so farmers have devoloped ways of protecting cattle. We do have a major Deer problem (they have tried extending hunting season, exterminators you name it). I have 2 Deer kills (and a few geese) painted on the fuselage of my Dads Volvo Stationwagon. At least the wolves would keep the deer in check.

Oh there were wolves in Vermont but not for the last 100 years or so. We had mountain lions here too (called "catamounts" here) up until the 1890s. They're "back" now in a way. Not the original cats but western ones that people who bought them as pets or whatnot and released them into the wild. I saw one 20 years ago here. My friends thought I'd been drinking or gone crazy. They have proof now though, scat samples, hair follicles, and of course, pictures. They know there's at least four of them here at present.

As for bringing back wolves, well the problem with bringing back an animal to its former territory is that here the range they had when they did live here no longer exists, nor does the amount of prey to sustain them.

We have a huge problem with animals that are here as it is. Moose have become a real problem in that car collisions with them are usually fatal to both the driver and the moose. They are too high up for their eyes to catch the headlights and so warn motorists on wooded roads at least that much. And also by being so high up their body lands on top of the car squashing the cab with some 1500 llbs of weight let alone the force of the impact. It's a high level concern here now as the problem is growing.

Well, maybe some wolves won't be a problem if they have plenty deer. A pack of 3 or 4 can handle a sick Moose but the healthy ones are pretty safe. If mmarsh is right, they won't give people a problem but livestock is a different problem. I think that's where most of the dissent is coming from, the ranchers. As far as the big cats, I've got news for America, they are where you don't think they are. Now they have killed hikers and won't hesitate to attack a human if hungry.

As I said, there isn't enough prey for them nor the open range for them. The deer are sadly depleted here the past few years. Last year's deer hunt was down by hundreds and they're considering a tapered back season this year. Hard winters and poor growing seasons have not been kind to Bambi.

You do know that cows are a big thing here right? Up until 1967 they outnumbered the people here. I don't see dairy farmers putting up with having even one wolf running around here.

Oh and besides the moose, we have problems here with eastern coyotes ("Coy-dogs" here) as it is. No need or niche for wolves.

I imagine though that once Ingrid gets news of this the three little pigs will have to give up their homes and relocate for the wolves' sake.

Yes but thats a temporary reprieve. Deer reproduce very rapidily all you need is several years with a decent climate and you'll have your're deer problem all over again.

As for the range, i dont really see that as a problem. Wolves tend to wander so they will spread out into New England, New York etc. There lots of forest space in the Adirondack Mountains and further north. I'm sure the Dairy Farmers wont like the Wolves, but farmers in the NorthWest have dealt with the problem. Wolves generally attack cattle only if they cannot find their regular game, and those that do are destroyed or relocated.

I used to see coyotes all the time. Coyotes dont hunt the same game as wolves. Coyotes tend to follow the wild turkey flocks (common in the fall) and other small mammals and rodents. They can even eat berries and herbs and carrion.

I have only seen 1 Moose. But I lived in SW Vermont. Moose are more common up North. As for Cougars (Mountain Lion) yes they can be dangerous but those attacks are rare. Any predetor will attack if hungry enough.

Coyotes are like rats, they prefer the ready-to-eat food that we throw around everywhere. They don't like to work for a large meal when tidbits in cities will do. I have and still see them in trash dumps and just along highways. I think our natural habitat has become theirs.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

Yes but thats a temporary reprieve. Deer reproduce very rapidily all you need is several years with a decent climate and you'll have your're deer problem all over again.

As for the range, i dont really see that as a problem. Wolves tend to wander so they will spread out into New England, New York etc. There lots of forest space in the Adirondack Mountains and further north. I'm sure the Dairy Farmers wont like the Wolves, but farmers in the NorthWest have dealt with the problem. Wolves generally attack cattle only if they cannot find their regular game, and those that do are destroyed or relocated.

I used to see coyotes all the time. Coyotes dont hunt the same game as wolves. Coyotes tend to follow the wild turkey flocks (common in the fall) and other small mammals and rodents. They can even eat berries and herbs and carrion.

I have only seen 1 Moose. But I lived in SW Vermont. Moose are more common up North. As for Cougars (Mountain Lion) yes they can be dangerous but those attacks are rare. Any predetor will attack if hungry enough.

I guess you don't have much idea what a wolf's range is do you? Or a real good idea how much interconnected woodland is left in this part of the country. No room for wolves here, no need for them either. Have people learned nothing from screwing around with ecosystems? The risk of damaging the existing ecosystem is far greater than any possible merit gained by bringing wolves back into a region that's had no room for them in over a century.