Editor:
In regards to the story “Banff wolves die in provincial traplines” in the April 20 edition of the Outlook.
Thank you Cathy Ellis for your in-depth article reviewing the fate of the wolves whose only crime was to venture outside the national park boundary. It is apparent the need for buffer zones is acute.
Wolves are sentient beings killed by a variety of methods, including snaring, shooting, poisoning, and are trapped by devices that cause pain and suffering.
Wildlife is regarded by certain segments of society as a crop to be harvested or managed. For example, trappers, hunters, and government/provincial wildlife personnel. Instead of using the euphemism harvesting, it would be more accurate to state that wildlife is killed.
How interesting to note that tourism week was recently celebrated and UCP Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin authored a bill promoting tourism. In past decades, I remember campaigns directed at dissuading tourism in areas of Canada where wildlife was being targeted.
Viewing Canadian wildlife is part of the experience that many tourists treasure – what would be their opinion of Canadian animal welfare values if they were aware of how so much wildlife is abused, and its habitat destroyed?
In closing, Gandhi's statement is worth repeating: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Carol Tracey,
Calgary
