Wolves’ return overpriced

It has been said that the life of one endangered species is worth more than one human life. Judging by the money ($400,000/wolf) spent on the Mexican wolf program, federal and state governments seem to agree with this extremist viewpoint.

It was estimated that over $18.1 million had been spent on this effort in 2008 and hit just under $20.5 million in 2009. Wolves are of little commercial benefit and the taxpayer shells out $200,000 to $1 million per wolf for their recovery.

By the ’40s the wolf was almost eradicated. No one missed them and life was good. Then the wolf was put on the endangered species list and the reintroduction program was started. Everything went to hell in a handbasket. The U.S. is in debt so far, what’s another $100 million for the wolf programs? Nothing, just peanuts when compared to the government’s trillion-dollar spending spree.

The Yellowstone elk population is down 50 percent, records show that the wolves’ prey is 77 percent to 97 percent elk. The fill-in diet is usually sheep and other domesticated animals, including cattle and dogs.

It is too bad that people on Capitol Hill have no concept of reality.

Lloyd Zimmerman

Spokane