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Mountain Lions in the Dust

by J.R. Calamia

By now, the killing of the Mountain Lion in downtown El Paso on May 10, 2011 is well known.  This incident ironically drew more attention to the media than President Barack Obama’s visit to the city on that same day. 

However; for the sake of information, a rather young Mountain lion weighing about 125 pounds found its way into the heart of the city and ended up at the “H&H” Carwash.  The animal was quickly engulfed by shocked bystanders, in addition to an entire army of law enforcement officers representing various law enforcement agencies.  During the “stand-off” period, Dr. Ken Waldrup (veterinarian) tried desperately to tranquilize the lion by shooting it with tranquilizer darts.  Unfortunately, the first dart failed to take the desired effect, and within only 30 seconds after the second dart was placed… law enforcement officers decided to shoot and kill the animal.  Their decision subsequently ignited a massive public explosion of e-mails, letters, and comments to and from the news media.

*Personally, I agree with most of those Lion advocates who believe that the animal should not have been killed, and given more of an opportunity to allow the second tranquilizer to do its job.  First of all, the process of tranquillizing an animal in the field with a dart gun is somewhat of an unexacting art especially, when trying to guess the right dosage based upon the animals weight.  In addition, the more excited the animal becomes due to the stress being placed upon it, the longer it usually takes for the drug to work.

The  area was surrounded by numerous police agencies including The El Paso Police Department, El Paso Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, and even…the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission.  In addition, I believe that Officers from Animal Control were also involved plus the veterinarian who represented the Texas Department of Health Services.  Realistically speaking, there were too many varied agencies at the location and based upon the unusual circumstances of the event, it would appear logical to assume that no specific agency was “in-charge” nor, did any one agency know what format to follow in such an event.  The easiest and quickest way out of this confusion was simply to shoot the animal.  Even Zoo’s have their “shooting teams”, but only…as a very last resort is this option ever considered.

I believe that law enforcement (especially with the number of varied agencies represented), should have utilized most of their man-power to block off the area, and keep the on-lookers far away.  This alone, would have reduced the immediate threat even more.   The entire operation was a professional imbroglio and should be… a caveat to first responders in the event, of another incident

There is some speculation that the Mountain Lion in this scenario “may” have been someone’s exotic pet.  Regardless of whether or, not it was a pet …or, it was the drought, more incidents of this nature can be expected.  How will those future incidents be handled?  What did we learn from the Mountain Lion incident?

The Mountain Lion is not considered an endangered species, especially, in Texas.  In fact, this animal is considered to be a “Predator” on the Texas Hunting brochures.  In other words, unlike deer, or wild turkey, there is NO Closed Hunting Season on this animal.  The Mountain Lion falls into the same category as the coyote, bobcat, and jackrabbit.  This animal is normally detested by Texas Farmers and Ranchers throughout the Lone Star State, and considered a menace   to sheep and cattle raisers.  In some cases this may be justified, but overall…the Mountain Lion of Texas (Puma concolor), is much less a menace than any of the feral hogs presently taking up residence throughout the state.

By their mere nature, the Mountain Lion is (without doubt), a dangerous animal!  However;  according to a list of fatal cougar attacks in North America, the first recorded Mountain Lion attack on humans started (June 19, 1890) up  to  the most recent of May 7, 2011 (Austin, Texas). There have been 20 recorded fatalities throughout the United States and British Columbia in the 121 years attributed to this animal.  Two of those listed fatalities were actually caused by rabies from the attack and not, the physical energies during the attack.

In comparison, some 332 human deaths have been attributed to dog bites between 1979 and 1998.  In fact, it is estimated that at least 31 (+), people die each year due to bites from pet dogs.

Animal conservation and control is a difficult and never-ending task. However; due to on-going changing weather patterns such as; Climate Change, major droughts, flooding, and a host of other natural events we, should be diligent, cautious, and yet… more pro-active rather than… re-active. 

There are a great many problems facing this dry arid region, but it seems that the aforementioned incident might be impetus enough to have individuals within the conservation community looking into possible alternative solutions.  Perhaps;   a recruitment program to entice volunteers in assisting wildlife and parks personal in animal observations, and overall record keeping might give us some preview of what city and suburban areas ( especially near the mountains),   could expect in the way of animal behavior in the future.

Although costly;   the placement (by helicopter), of artificial plastic watering tanks onto various locations throughout the Franklin mountains could, conceivably help the survival of wildlife for extended periods of time once… the region does get rain.   

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Community Input Sought for El Paso Comprehensive Plan

January 20, 2011, A community driven effort to rewrite the City’s Comprehensive Plan is underway, giving the citizens of El Paso the opportunity to decide what the future of the City will look like. The Comprehensive Plan is the City’s guiding document to direct capital improvements, evaluate development projects, guide public policy and ensure that the City of El Paso is the city its residents want it to be. The plan identifies goals, objectives and policies that will enhance the City’s quality of life, respect its natural environs, and support complementary economic growth and development.

For Details: http://www.planelpaso.org/

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Badgers Beware

Earlier this year, my wife and I drove up to Las Cruces, New Mexico along with some family friends.  The purpose of the trip was simply “to get away from it all”…just for a day.  The weather was beautiful, and the sun felt good across our shoulders as we walked through some of the shops in and around the “tourist traps”.

I saw a great many items that were pretty and a few that were a bit unusual.  However, the most unusual item I saw was not the turquoise bracelets or rings, or even the Native American bead work, but something else …totally different.   

During our afternoon adventure we drove by one of those “Rustic Sell Anything” shops that proudly display the American flag flittering next to a Harley Davidson banner.  There were dozens of pots, vintage metal parts, “genuine” Indian artifacts, and just about…anything one might find interesting.

My attention was immediately drawn to this shop not because of the vintage metal parts, or “genuine” Indian art and artifacts, but… because of the “Badger pelts” that were hanging on the fence.  There were seven of them hanging in a neat row looking like symbolic victims who had each been convicted and executed for one of the “Seven Deadly Sins.” 

I am not a rabid conservationist, but…I do have a growing concern for the dwindling animal species throughout the world and…the Southwest in which I live. Having been born with somewhat of a curious nature, I asked the owner of the shop how much he was asking per pelt.  The owner cautiously looked me over as though I might be some type of a threat and then in a rather curt tone said: “$29.99 each!”  I also found out that these particular animals had been taken near Radium Springs, New Mexico which is just North of Las Cruces.  I thanked him for his information and then walked back to the “hanging fence.”  I stroked the pelts and to my amazement, only the hair was soft, the rest of the pelts were hard enough to be used as roof tiles.  Perhaps my knowledge of pelts is lacking but, I thought that the animal pelt should at least, be cured enough to make it soft and pliable.  These pelts were little more than a hairy plank of wood! 

After leaving the area I couldn’t help but be a little saddened by the fact that here…hanging on the fence was a waste of wildlife.  In this case, not even the pelts were usable.  Then, I started thinking about…”The Badger.”

There are actually eight species of Badger (and three subfamilies), and these tough little creatures are from within the weasel family.  The name “Badger” comes from uncertain origins, but the two most accepted forms of origin are possibly from the French word “becheur” which means “digger”, or if your more inclined to the Oxford English Dictionary, you may prefer the name originating from “badge + ard” which refers to the white mark that runs from its nose to forehead and sometimes… beyond.

The three most renowned Badgers are the European Badger, African Honey Badger, and our American Badger (Taxidea taxus).  The American Badger is the species that we here in the United States are most familiar with. 

American Badgers are basically carnivores.  In fact, they are a special carnivore called a “fossorial carnivore.”  Unlike many carnivores that openly stalk and run down their pray, the “fossorial carnivore” catches it’s prey by digging down into the earth in order obtain their food.  The American Badger is especially fond of ground dwelling rodents, and will stop at nothing once …the hunt is on!

In the world of Badgers (as in the world pigs), the male is known as a “Boar” and the female… a “Sow.” However, the baby badgers are called either “kits” or “cubs.”   Normally there are two or, three cubs born in a litter. The mother and litter usually live below ground in dens and connecting tunnel ways called “setts.”  The mortality rate of the young “cubs” is probably rather high in the wild especially due to hawks, snakes, and other such predators.”

None the less; those that survive are without doubt, one of the most fearless and tenacious animals there is for its size.  A full grown male Badger can weigh up to 17 or 20 pounds but will fight and protect itself as though it were three times that weight. A group of Badgers is appropriately known as a… “Clan.”  The Clan usually numbers 5 or 6, but larger clans of badgers have been seen (especially in England).  The term “Clan” was probably associated by many to correspond with the historical tenacity and fearlessness of the Scottish clans of Scotland such as, the Campbell’s, Mc Quires, and Mac Donald’s to name but a few.  An appropriate term for such a regal animal… I must say! 

Due to the animal’s ferocity, they became the target for many a hunter, and sport. The dachshund breed of dog was initially raised to hunt Badger. In fact, the German word, “dachs” literally means…”Badger.”

The blood sport of “Badger Baiting” was outlawed in the United Kingdom due to the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835!  Then as recently as 1992, the Protection of Badgers Act made it a serious offense to kill, injure, or take a Badger without proper statutory authority within the United Kingdom.

Badgers elsewhere (including the United States), have not been so well protected and are being exploited in China, Russia, Croatia, Spain, France, and elsewhere.  In China, the animal’s hair is harvested for shaving and art brushes.  The meat is eaten throughout China as well as the other countries previously mentioned. 

New Mexico still allows the hunting or trapping of Badger because it is listed as a fur-barer and therefore, legal under the States trapping laws.  In fact, it seems that New Mexico allows an unspecified amount of traps to be set throughout the state including all public lands.  The “harvested crop” of Badgers per year is probably unknown but, I would venture to guess that whatever the count… it would stagger the imagination. Perhaps, there are a few individuals who are starting to question the “harvesting standard” of the Badger, but unfortunately…too few.  For instance, in March of 2010, veterinarian, Sammie Uhrig from the Carlsbad, New Mexico area found an orphaned baby Badger and raised it until it reached its first year.  The animal (named “Digger”), was then placed into the Carlsbad zoo and will be cared for by its keepers and citizens of Carlsbad.   This of course, is not the normal ending for Badger stories, “Digger” is luckier than most.

There is some controversy as to whether or, not the Badger is an endangered species.  In some areas, such as the United Kingdom (UK) it is without a doubt, considered highly endangered.  However, the American Badger’s location on the endangered species list is unknown.  If, the animal is not endangered (as New Mexico believes), then…it is at very least, quickly becoming a “threatened species.

The “Clans of Badgers” throughout New Mexico and the United States are, somewhat parallel to the clans of Scotland. The Scottish Clan numbers began falling due to disease, starvation, and exposure.  Then…due to the political events of April 16, 1746 in the battle of Culloden, the threatened social structure of the clan was decimated and never able to regain it’s once great standing in history.

The Badger and its Clans are quickly fading into history as well.  Should we fail to take notice of our present statistics; another magnificent animal will be gone forever.  If, and when this occurs, the only remaining sound will be the ghostly and mournful funeral skirl of the conservationist’s bagpipes across the great Southwest.

Joseph R. Calamia

What about bats?

by Joseph R. Calamia

January 20, 2011. Any form of wildlife creature has a difficult time trying to survive in the world in which it was born.  This is, a fact of nature, and helps to keep the fittest alive and able to procreate so that the species continues living from one generation to the next.

Despite the difficult living conditions of wild creatures, the Bat is automatically born with a… “Bad-rap.” Much of this unfair reputation is due to the old European superstitions of  human Vampires, or…”The Undead” who thrived on unsuspecting human hosts by night. Naturally, the only means of killing these Vampires was to drive a wooden stake through their hearts while they slept by day. Much of this folklore was in itself, brought about by the very real Romanian Prince “Vlad Tepes (“tse-pesh’), who ruled ancient Wallachia in the late 1400’s. He was later known as, “Vlad Dracula” the impaler who impaled his enemies on large stakes.  If, this were not gruesome enough, author, Bram Stoker’s novel of Gothic intrigue helped to solidify the affiliation of the poor bat with that of ghoulish creatures of the night.

In the world of metaphysics, the Bat symbolizes a messenger from the dark underworld, and their presence can only bring evil to those who are unfortunate enough to run across them during the night.

If, that were not enough, the Bat is well known for carrying various diseases including the dreaded rabies.  

Now, regardless of the Bats poor reputation, it is none the less a very interesting and needed animal within the entire scheme of things.  Bats are notorious for their voracious appetites for insects of all kinds.  Some bats naturally prefer fruits and yes, there is that infamous “Vampire bat” of South America who likes his nightly cocktail of blood spiked with a good amount of hemoglobin.  Naturally, it is the Vampire bat that we focus upon and equate with all other species of bats.

Bats are not above becoming victims themselves, and there are presently six (6) species of Bats dying by the hundreds of something, scientists are calling “White Nose Syndrome” (or, WNS).  A short article in the most recent edition of Audubon magazine (January /February 2011) by Alisa Opar focuses upon this tragic killer.  In her article, Ms. Opar indicated that the Indiana bat, Little Brown bat, Eastern small-footed bat, Tricolored bat, Big brown bat, and Northern bat are the main victims of this relatively recent disease.  It first appeared in upper state New York in about 2006, and has subsequently spread throughout 14 Eastern States!  Like the “Black Death” that once ravaged Europe, the White Nose Syndrome has now accounted for at least a million bat deaths from the above named species. 

This disease appears as a white fluff on the animal’s nose and other areas of the body. According to the author, Alisa Opar, this treacherous fungal disease causes the animal to awake every four or, five days during it’s slumbering period in cold weather.  Normal healthy bats only awake once every two or, three weeks for an hour or two during their cold slumber.  However, a bat with “WNS” will continue to awake off and on and that ultimately causes excessive burning of body fats, depletes the animal’s immune system, and eventually kills the animal.

Some colonies have been totally decimated while others show about a 1/3 survival rate.

Ms. Opar calls for the building of more “Bat Houses” (similar to the back yard bird house), by concerned citizens in order to give the animals a warmer area in which to roost during the cold nights.

Realistically, most people will shun the building of such homes in their back yards for fear of attracting diseased bats or, bats with potential sicknesses.  Although WNS does not affect humans it is none the less a potential danger. 

There are other ways in which to help fight this crippling pathogen.  Internet inquires indicate that there is presently a private organization called the “National Speleological Society WNNS Rapid Response Fund.”  This organization is presently funding some 10 research projects focused on stopping this critical disease.  If you find yourself interested in this organization you may wish to check http://www.caves.org/WNS/  on the internet or, write to NSS WNS Rapid Response Fund at:

NSS

2813 Cave Ave.

Huntsville, Alabama

35810-4431

Remember: “Not every creature is a cute “Thumper” rabbit or, “Bambi” deer, but All… are God’s creatures.”  Do something worthwhile this new year….become involved!

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