Just weeks before the deadline for Colorado to begin reintroducing gray wolves under a voter-approved initiative, representatives of the cattle industry association are suing state and federal agencies in the hopes of delaying the predators’ release.
The Gunnison County Stockgrowers’ Association and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association say in the lawsuit filed Monday that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services failed to adequately review the effects of the plan to reintroduce up to 50 wolves over the next several years.
The predators’ release in Colorado, voted for in a 2020 ballot measure, has already stirred controversy and sharpened divides between rural and urban residents. City dwellers largely voted for the measures that would most affect rural areas, where wolves can prey on livestock that help drive local economies.
I have ducks and learned fox attacks can be absolutely silent. In January my were attacked by a fox. One was killed and the rest were injured. I didn’t hear a damn thing. I can usually hear my ducks quack while I’m in the house because of the acoustics of my yard and my thin house walls.
I recommend taking lots of precautions with your birds. Losing any in an attack and treated injuries is heartbreaking. I cried for days after the fox got in.
I am dealing with raccoons now, but they aren’t bothering the birds. They’re just taking eggs and leaving. I’m trying to get that situation handled, but the birds and raccoons seem to be chill with each other, so I’m not in a huge hurry.
I’m imagining the racoons now:
“Hey duckies, lemme in on a few eggies and I’ll be on my way. Might take a snake or rat out, while I’m at it, whadda ya say, huh?”
The ducks:
“Eeeeeh sure, why not”
That’s probably it lol. One of my birds lays her eggs outside, and those are the eggs that are being taken.