Exposed Wildlife Conservancy

What can you do to help? Read to find out.

Ali Morrison ·tordSsopne119f310c2u8l:tumlmu6ty88au  43Ja0 93tm3f f4hPc4Mtu ·tordSsopne119f010c2u8l:tumlmu6ty88au  06Ja0 93tm3f f3hPc4Mtu ·

Most Canadians don't imagine that they could come face to face with a rifle or hunting dogs in a provincial park.

Unfortunately, last December, the decision to introduce cougar hunting in Cypress Hills Provincial Park was made by Alberta's provincial government. This move contradicts Alberta’s own Cougar Management Plan.

Without sufficient public consultation and against the recommendations of their own provincial wildlife biologists and Alberta Parks management, policy was quietly changed.

Current cougar science clearly shows that trophy killing large male cougars and removing them from the landscape increases human-wildlife conflict. This is a provincial park where families visit to picnic, hike, cross-country ski and find their Christmas trees in winter. This decision not only endangers a dwindling population of cougars, but also the general public and Albertan families.

Cypress Hills is an isolated subpopulation of cougars on the prairies that numbers fewer than 15 individuals. This area is considered crucial for cougar conservation and is necessary to support breeding and populations in other areas.

It's important to remember that cougars are a natural part of the ecosystem, and peaceful coexistence is possible with proper awareness and education.

So what's next? Will other provincial parks be opened to trophy hunting of other ecologically critical species?

There are two key ways you can take action:

Step 1:

Share your voice:

Add your name to the letter on our website. It takes just 2 minutes.

http://www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/.../rescinding...

Call Premier Danielle Smith's office or send an email to voice your concern over the province’s continued disregard for Alberta's public, science and our apex predators.

premier@gov.ab.ca

780-427-2251 (Edmonton)

310-0000 (toll-free in Alberta)

780-427-2711 (outside Alberta)

Step 2:

Donate:

Please consider donating to support Exposed Wildlife Conservancy's advocacy and education work. Become a monthly donor or give what you can in a one-time donation to help us continue to fight for our cougars and other apex predators.

Donate:

exposedwc.org/donate

Learn about cougar ecology:

www.exposedwildlifeconservancy.org/knowledge-base/cougars

Photo | Ambassador and co-founder @johnemarriott

References:

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/.../6818ea94e43717594e...