Published: Monday, May 20, 2020
Credit: Public Domain CC0
This week, those who wanted to see wolverines introduced to California suffered a blow.
The proposed legislation that would have explored what it would take for the rugged, elusive apex predator to be reintroduced to the high mountains of the state died on Thursday at the Capitol.
However, a similar effort is underway in Colorado.
California’s wolverines disappeared more than 100 years ago. They were victims of poisoning, hunting, and trapping. Last year, rare sightings in Yosemite National Park as well as other areas sparked excitement and played a part in the timing of legislation.
The passage of Assembly Bill 27,22 would not have led to the immediate importation of these animals. However, it required that state wildlife officials conduct a feasibility report on a program of reintroduction and supplementation with the aim of restoring a healthy population.
The bill was also introduced as the state faced a budget deficit of tens and tens billions of dollars. The bill was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee which is responsible for reviewing bills that have an impact on the budget. California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated that the feasibility study cost $235,000. This is the amount required to hire a scientist for the project.
In a press release, Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), who introduced the bill said that due to a difficult budget year, some laws proposed would not be implemented, allowing for other, more important ones to go forward.
Friedman is expected to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. “California needs to support recovery efforts in order to bring back this iconic animal to California’s wild areas.”
Brendan Cummings is the conservation director for Center for Biological Diversity which sponsored the bill. He said he was not surprised at the fate of the bill given the budget problems, but he wouldn’t give up the underlying purpose.
He said, “These animals shared the landscape — are part of California.” “As a Californian I feel that it is my duty to do all that I can to bring back the extinct, missing species which are no longer present in a functional manner because of human activity.”
AB 2722 passed without debate or discussion during a biannual culling procedure known as the suspense files.
Colorado may be the first to attempt to reintroduce the animal to the areas where it disappeared. The Colorado legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor of the wolverine plan this month. It is now at the governor’s office for final approval.
Wolverines are smaller than bears, but they can weigh up to 40 pounds. The powerful jaws of wolverines can take down predators much larger than themselves. They can travel long distances because of their snowshoe-like foot. Males can occupy territories up to 500 sq. miles.
Rebecca Watters said earlier this year that the Wolverine Foundation’s executive director, Rebecca Watters, was the “patron animal” of mountaineers.
The Wolverines in the Lower 48 States are extremely rare and last year, the Endangered Species Act of the United States gave federal protection to the 25-300 individuals that were left in the contiguous U.S. California’s conservation efforts go back to the 1970s when wolverines became a protected species in the Fish and Game Code and were listed as threatened by the Endangered Species Act.
The proponents of the reintroduction of the species claim that there is enough habitat for the animals. They live naturally in high-altitude areas with snow and low densities. But some researchers–including Watters–would prefer to see the species propagate naturally, expressing concern that wolverines will die during the reintroduction process while there’s no guarantee of success.
David Garcelon believes that the risk is well worth it. Garcelon, who calls the animal “an icon for wilderness,” has been researching the possibility of bringing it back for about 20 years.
Garcelon told The Los Angeles Times that he wanted to give wolverines the chance to succeed. He added that climate change, among other things, was a factor to consider. “I don’t think it is worth waiting another 50 to see if these animals can make it on their very own.”
2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Citation:
Budget woes stymie a push to bring back wolverines to California (2024, 20 May)
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Source: Phys.org