Legal Petition Seeks Enforceable Rules to Prevent Washington Wolf Killings
Legal Petition Seeks Enforceable Rules to Prevent Washington Wolf ... Center for Biological Diversity
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Conservation Groups Petition Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for Nonlethal Deterrence Measures to Protect Endangered Wolves
SEATTLE— Conservation groups petitioned the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Tuesday for rules requiring the use of nonlethal deterrence measures before killing wolves. The petition comes after the commission failed to adopt similar rules last year despite Gov. Jay Inslee’s order to undergo rulemaking.
“We won’t stop until Washington’s endangered wolves are treated according to best available science and these commonsense rules are the very least the commission can do,” said Sophia Ressler, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We need enforceable rules to hold wildlife officials accountable and prevent conflict between livestock and wolves. It’s a clear win for everyone.”
The petition also seeks to clarify what the agency calls “caught-in-the-act” killings, which aim to protect livestock when wolves are actively attacking domestic animals. In the last six years, livestock owners or their agents shot 10 wolves under claimed “caught-in-the-act” circumstances, yet investigative reports by state wildlife law enforcement contradict some of those claims.
Currently Washington wildlife officials decide when to kill wolves based on a protocol drafted by the state’s Wolf Advisory Group, which includes ranchers and other members chosen by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. This protocol has been ineffective at addressing conflict between wolves and livestock, especially in the northeast part of the state. The state agency has killed 42 wolves on behalf of the livestock industry.
“We’re proposing rules to work within the department’s flawed framework, but we hope amendments will strengthen protections and stop the senseless slaughter of Washington’s wolves,” said Ressler.
The commission has 60 days to respond to the petition for rulemaking.
The petition was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Washington Wildlife First, Western Watersheds Project, Wild Earth Guardians, Cascadia Wildlands, Animal Wellness Action, Center for a Humane Economy, Northwest Animal Rights Network, Kettle Range Conservation Group, Endangered Species Coalition and Coexisting with Cougars in Klickitat County.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels | Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, disability, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 15: Life on Land
The article addresses the issue of conflict between wolves and livestock in Washington state. This conflict relates to the degradation of natural habitats and the protection of threatened species.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the need for responsive and inclusive decision-making processes in addressing the conflict between wolves and livestock.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
The article emphasizes the need for rules requiring the use of nonlethal deterrence measures before killing wolves. This target aims to protect threatened species like wolves and prevent their extinction.
Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels
The article discusses the petition filed by conservation groups to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, highlighting the need for inclusive decision-making processes in addressing the conflict between wolves and livestock.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index
The article does not explicitly mention this indicator, but it is relevant as it measures the extinction risk of species. Protecting wolves and preventing their extinction aligns with this indicator.
Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, disability, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions
The article highlights the need for responsive and inclusive decision-making processes. This indicator measures the representation of different groups in public institutions, which is relevant to ensuring inclusive decision-making.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels | Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, disability, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions |
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Source: biologicaldiversity.org
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