Animals, throughout the West, Displaced by Drought and Fires

Drought and Forest Fires have Destroyed Bear Food Habitat, so they are coming "down" the mountains by the hundreds. This bear dropped by one cabin for breakfast. His friends came by and took the pet food that was locked and sealed hard plastic container. The bear simply took the large bucket of food back into the deep forest to dine.

Afsaneh Tabee said: "When we see bear, we aren't about to report them, because forest officials in Northern New Mexico have changed policy for budget reasons. Instead of trapping them sedating them and hauling them back into the deep forests, they just kill them."

A question might be in order. The State Fish and Game departments, and the Forest Service, were chartered to preserve our natural lands, and to protect our native species. In times of drought, you would think that our governments would take steps to help them through tough times, rather than executing them to save gas money.

In Northern New Mexico, over 365 bear have been shot by forestry officials near Las Vegas, Rociada and Mora in the past 60 days.

"The bear have been coming down from the high mountains by the hundreds, because drought and wildfires have destroyed habitat, and the bears are hungry." said one ranger.

But the reports come in from throughout the country.

In Cameron, Texas, Harry Bolch reports that "Most of the creeks here have gone dry and a lot of ponds are dry as well. Our place has a spring fed pond and about 30 Coyotes come in nightly. We feel good about them watering here. They have to do survive."

Quail Deaths Up

In Kansas, Rattlesnake Creek has been dry for 5 months, killing fish by the thousands. Quail and Pheasant are a big hunting industry in some states, and in Kansas, wildlife experts report the population is way down this year. "The drought and lack of water killed the quail off", reported an avid hunter. 


In Northern New Mexico, rancher Ted Maestos, said:

"For the first time in 70 years our mountain creeks ran dry. We had to haul water to save our livestock. All of the rainbow and brown trout in our steams died."

In California several streams dried up and the fish population there suffered as well.

In Lubbock Texas, Pauletta Daniels reported: "We did not have one drop of rain for 8 months. The wild raccoons and skunks have come in from the country. Some raccoons chased off my pets and took my garage. I am feeding them to help them through this."

I am reminded of my Sunday School teacher who taught me as a child, to be kind to animals. She said it reflected on character. But as I have become older, I have come to believe that nature is important. It is sacred. It is part of what makes us what we are. We should then see the value of preserving it. To save a wild beast or help them make it through hard times, may give people a special blessing.

Environmental Consulting: http://www.environment-solutions.com