The contest is encouraging trappers and hunters to bring in the largest volume of heavy beavers as possible – with prizes including cash, fur products, and traps. It is being advertised via local media and on Facebook. There is no central location, though a map posted as a photo indicates drop off points for beaver carcasses (which must include glands and unspoiled pelts, likely for resale) in regions to the east of Regina. A Facebook admin commented that it is open to everyone in the “South Saskatchewan Trapping Area.”
As regions around the world are desperately trying to reintroduce beavers to help combat droughts, and more evidence is piling up showing the pollution-removing power of beavers, this contest baffles the mind. Even without considering the inherently inhumane methodology of beaver trapping, or the harm and suffering it causes beaver family units, this contest is ecological genocide and should be halted immediately.
We are calling on the government of Saskatchewan to intervene and make their province a place where wildlife can thrive and any management is based on sound ecological science – not greed and dark entertainment.
TAKE ACTION
Write to your MLA (if you’re a resident of Saskatchewan find your MLA here) and Herb Cox, Minister of Environment (regardless of where you live atenv.minister@gov.sk.ca) , and tell them that this practice must end – for the sake of the environment and ethics.
SAMPLE LETTER
Minister Herb Cox (or your MLA),
I was disturbed to see that the government of Saskatchewan is allowing a beaver “derby” to go unchallenged from April 1 to May 10 of this year. This type of killing contest is without any merit – it is in fact harmful and potentially devastating to ecosystems, particularly since beavers are a well-known keystone species.
There is no theory of wildlife management or environmental practice that condones this kind of ecological genocide, and it is without any form of ethical review. If beaver conflict is an issue, there are multiple non-lethal measures that can be explored – but in no way can this “derby” be considered responsible.
I urge you to immediately halt wildlife killing contests in Saskatchewan and look to how the world will view our beautiful plains if you do not.
Sincerely,
Your name and address.
WRITING TIPS
Stay on point:this issue is about theproposal to increase the influence of consumptive wildlife users in management policies – not anything else. Keep your comments directed to the facts and provide citations if necessary.
Stay polite and use spell check:if you’re rude, aggressive, misspell words, or use incorrect grammar, readers may become disengaged or dismissive of your points.
Provide solutions:rather than just say what’s wrong, say what’s right. Offer solutions or alternatives to help move forward conversations.
Identify yourself:it’s important to include your address when writing politicians so they know who you are, where you’re from, and that your vote will affect them in the next election.
Let us know what you hear:if you receive a message back from your representative, or they would like to discuss the issues in greater detail with us, please let us know by emailing fbd@thefurbearers.com.
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