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Show MARCH 1997 Wild Animal Farm On Utah's Wildlife? By Mark Gerard ome animals are less equal than others. It’s government poli- cy Take predators. Until as recently as the 1960’s, Utah’s predators were officially considered vermin. Grizzly bears, wolves, and wolverines have been wiped out. Most of Utah’s surviving four-legged carnivores—like cougar, black bear, and fox—are still trapped and hunted both for sport, and to keep their populations low. The coyote is officially considered a pest and is actively exterminated still. On the other hand, Utah’s wildlife managers have encouraged the growth of prey herds, such as elk and mule deer, for the enjoyment of human hunters. Game officials have imported exotic prey species, like pheasant and mountain goats, and they decimate native predator populations to ensure that hunters’ targets will flourish. But are pheasants more important than fox? Are mule deer more important than cougar? Government officials decide every managers promote or day. Wildlife suppress various populations on the premise that wild animals are crops to be “harvested” from the state’s animal farm. Hunters pay the animal farm’s bills. All but $4 million of the Department of Wildlife Resource’s budget of $28-32 million comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. But further reduction of Utah’s remaining predator populations may be devastating, scientists say. In a Continued on page 9 photos by Howie Garber In Utah, it’s open season on the red fox and other predators. bagel with schmear & coffee $1.99 bagel with schmear & any espresso drink soup & ceasar PTR aS eae $2.79 Tay smoked turkey & hain with any side & drink 1997 EinstelnNoah Baget Corp: eh eat 1890 Bonanza Drive (801) 645-8489 PAGE 8 |