Has Gov. Frank Murkowski found the "final solution" for wolves?

The state of Alaska has tried forced sterilization and forced relocation of wolves. People use guns, traps, snares and snowmachines to run down and kill hundreds of wolves each winter. Now Gov. Murkowski has ignored two voter initiatives, handpicked a Game Board of wolf haters, and unleashed dozens of pilot-gunner teams to terrorize families of wolves and shoot them in the back from airplanes. It is not only disgusting, it is morally indefensible.

With regard to wolf haters, Dr. L. David Mech in his classic book "The Wolf" said: "These people cannot be changed. If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be out-shouted, out-financed and out-voted. ... Finally, their hate must be outdone by a love for the whole of nature, for the unspoiled wilderness and for the wolf as a beautiful, interesting and integral part of both."


If Gov. Murkowski worried less about blasting predators and more about the impacts of climate change on wildlife and people, we'd all be better served.


John Johnson / Anchorage