Swift fox release project delayed until fall (Ted Turner plan blocked)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ^ | 04/06/02 | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

[jwalburg]

RAPID CITY - A project to reintroduce swift foxes on media mogul Ted Turner's Bad River Ranches has been
delayed until fall.

The Turner Endangered Species Fund had planned on releasing the foxes this spring on Turner's 138,000-acre
buffalo ranch in Stanley and Jones counties.

But the release has been delayed because there are not enough of the animals that swift foxes prey on, said
Kevin Honness, field biologist for the project. The foxes prey on small mammals, insects, birds and rabbits.

Turner Endangered Species Fund crews hope to trap about 30 swift foxes in Wyoming in August.

Another five male-female pairs will be held in pens over the winter in hopes that they will breed. The fund's
long-term goal is a stable population of 200 swift foxes.

The greatest obstacle to the swift fox project is a large coyote population in the area, Honness said.

[jwalburg]

But the release has been delayed because there are not enough of the animals that swift foxes prey on, said
Kevin Honness, field biologist for the project. The foxes prey on small mammals, insects, birds and rabbits.

This reminds me of the animal rights activisits who released minks from a mink farm only to have predators eat them immediately.
No common sense.

[Eska]

In Alaska, cyotes run the fox out and old wolf eats the cyotes.

[libertylover]

I've often thought that someone should set traps for edangered species. All males and non-pregnant females would be released immediately. Pregnant females would be released as soon as their "tissue blobs" have been aborted via proper medical care.

Then, sit back and enjoy it when liberals go to court to save the animals by preventing the abortoins but at the same time allow human abortions to remain legal.

[thatsnotnice]

The foxes prey on small mammals, insects, birds and rabbits.

Declare one of those insects "endangered" and prevent him from releasing foxes, grazing his buffalo, or even driving on his property. One good turn deserves another.

[Persuasion]

Great idea!