Bounties on wolves and coyotes slammed as 'inhumane' by Alberta biologists

Bounties on wolves and coyotes slammed as 'inhumane' by Alberta biologists

Research paper concludes bounties do more harm than good

By Terry Reith, Briar Stewart, CBC News Posted: Nov 05, 2015 1:32 PM MT| Last Updated: Nov 05, 2015 2:10 PM MT

Two Alberta-based wildlife biologists are calling for an end to bounties offered on wolves and coyotes, calling them "inhumane" and ineffective.

In a research paper published in the journal Animals, authors Gilbert Proulx and Dwight Rodtka, both former biologists with the Alberta government, say paying bounties for killing wolves and coyotes does far more harm than good.

Bounties are common in Alberta and Saskatchewan where the predators are known to target cattle and sheep. In Alberta alone, the cost to ranchers is estimated at more than $2 million per year, according to research commissioned by the Alberta Beef Producers.

Proulx said he takes no issue with killing problem predators that are threatening livestock, but he believes bounties are the wrong way to go about it.

More:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/bounties-on-wolves-and-coyotes-slammed-as-inhumane-by-alberta-biologists-1.3305971