March 19, 2004

Sabino Canyon Mountain Lions

I was happy to read that Arizona Game & Fish has decided to remove the mountain lions that have threatened hikers at Sabino Canyon, rather than execute them.

When I read yesterday that they had decided there was no other option than to shoot them, I was very disappointed. I couldn't understand why tranquilizer guns couldn't be used instead. The public outcry must have finally been enough to make Game & Fish reconsider. Today they have announced that their position has changed.

Although I'm a huge animal lover, I'm not completely opposed to hunting when the reasons are appropriate. I think Arizona Game & Fish does a great job controlling overpopulation of animals. If not for their efforts, many of these animals would undoubtedly starve and suffer. However, in this case, it just seemed like such a poor reason to kill these animals.

We continue to build further and further out in the desert and are driving these animals out of their habitat. Its only natural that they're going to find other places to go. Unfortunately, in this case, it happened to be a popular hiking spot. It just didn't seem right to kill these poor animals simply so we could continue to use the area for recreation. I agree that something had to be done if they were endangering human life, but I couldn't believe that shooting them was the only option.

Its unfortunate that they don't feel there is another area they can be relocated to, but at least they won't be killed. I hope they will do well in their new environment.

Posted by geekchik at March 19, 2004 10:24 AM
Comments

You said it right, but you have it all wrong. The animals should not be relocated, rather they should be allowed to remain where they are. The people who choose to use, and build in this area know the ramifications and should act like they are the highest rung on the food chain. If the tree hugging liberal locals feel that the animals SHOULD be RELOCATED, to some cage in the desert (great life), then THEY should pay for it, not ME. Not just the relocation fee, but the cost of tracking the animals, the helicopter, the vet fees, the care and feeding for the rest of the animals lovely caged and contained lives!!!!!!!

Posted by: Xan at March 19, 2004 03:06 PM

Xan you need a newsletter man. You have way too many opinions to let them fester here in the comments.

w00t

Posted by: James at March 21, 2004 09:21 PM

You can read my column in the Arizona Militia every Tuesday.

Posted by: Xan at March 22, 2004 07:51 AM

I offered to set him up his own blog. I'm not sure I trust letting him be an author on mine! ;)

Posted by: geekchik at March 22, 2004 10:05 AM

I don't blame you Sue, this could happen...

http://www.gavinsblog.com/mt/archives/000906.html

Posted by: James at March 22, 2004 10:09 AM

You candy assed liberals!!!!!!!!! Gray APPEARS to me to have mistitled his book. IT SEEMS TO ME it should be have been "Men Are From Mars, and I Like Anus". Just my opinion. See, I am safe.

Posted by: Xan at March 22, 2004 05:13 PM

The opinions expressed by my husband are not necessarily those of the blog author.

FWIW, if I were Gavin, I'd clue in the media about that lawsuit threat. If John Gray doesn't want people to find out that his credentials are less than credible, I'll bet he would cringe if Dateline were to get a hold of this story...

Posted by: geekchik at March 23, 2004 02:39 PM

Wow, Xan might get sensored by his wife.

Posted by: James at March 23, 2004 04:57 PM