Oil tankers: a killer for whales
The National Energy Board recommended approval of the Trans Mountain expansion knowing the Kinder Morgan project would jeopardize the survival of the Southern Residents…
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Confronting the elephant (head) in the room – researchers challenge the conservation community on the ethics of trophy hunting
Writing in the scientific journal, Conservation Letters, an international team of conservation scientists is challenging the conservation community to fully consider the ethics of trophy hunting and think critically about endorsing the practice as a key funding mechanism for wildlife protection. Read our new paper, “The elephant (head) in the room: A critical look at trophy…
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On the hunt for science in ‘science-based’ hunts
For years, British Columbia’s wildlife management practices, especially its wolf cull and grizzly bear hunt, have been controversial. In 2015, then-Premier Christy Clark defended the province’s wildlife policies, stating they were grounded in sound science. That, at least, was the claim. And not one unique to British Columbia. In fact, hunting in Canada and the…
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Trans Mountain expansion poses unacceptable risk to Salish Sea
Is Canada’s national interest best aligned with a Texas pipeline company? The suggestion of bailing out U.S.-based Kinder Morgan and investing tax dollars to access public assets in a sunset industry, while momentous questions of Canadian law are still before the courts, is nothing short of absurd…
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New study casts doubt on scientific basis of wildlife management in North America, offers a way forward
A new study, “Hallmarks of science missing from North American wildlife management”, released today in the AAAS Open Access journal Science Advances, identified four key hallmarks expected of science-based management: clear objectives, use of evidence, transparency and external review. Combined, these hallmarks provide the checks and balances that give rigour to science-based approaches…
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National Energy Board’s failure haunts governments
The cries of condemnation emanating from the Alberta and Canadian federal governments are deafening. The burgeoning conflict began when BC announced the province would limit shipments of diluted bitumen from Alberta…
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A killer whale emergency
We are requesting an emergency order under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. Southern Resident killer whales were recognized as endangered in 2002. Despite this, the Federal Government has taken no action to date to reduce the threats to these whales…
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Trophy hunting sullies the reputation of hunters, jeopardizes social licence
Most people can accept the idea of suffering and death if the hunter kills to fulfill a basic life requisite, such as feeding one’s family; in contrast, most people oppose killing inedible animals for trivial reasons, such as feeding one’s ego…
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Letter: Protection of grizzly bears should be strengthened in the expansion of the Species at Risk Act
Raincoast supports the proposal to list 13 new terrestrial species to Schedule 1 of Canada’s Species at Risk Act. While we are encouraged by this, the focus of this submission is on grizzly bears…
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Anecdotes, guesses no justification for killing wolves
BC’s Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development is proposing to extend wolf-killing season on Vancouver Island…
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Trophy hunting: Science on its own can’t dictate policy
Science can predict outcomes of policy options, but how society ought to act is ultimately decided by values. The hunting ban aligns with most of society’s moral compass: trophy hunting of inedible animals is no longer acceptable…
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Save the Great Bears campaign update
The NDP announcement to end all hunting of grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest starting this November is a huge conservation success. But, there is more to be done…
