Some petitions are positive and some are definitely negative. A petition laid out months ago by local trappers is now being considered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board. If the petition is accepted, the trapping season for North American River Otters will be extended until March, when there is a higher risk of trapping pregnant females or females with dependent young.
This would increase the trappings fivefold or more — for each mother that is killed, up to five pups will die.
The only people that would benefit from this extended trapping season are the trappers themselves, who sell the pelts at auction internationally, and of course those who collect the trappers' license money — the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Otters in North America have been saved from extinction thanks to awareness programs, reintroductions and strong protection. Trapping has always been done in a sustainable way, but only at its current rate and frequency. Expanding the season will cause an exponential risk that the local population will not be able to stand!
Please sign to show you stand against putting female otters and cubs at risk only for the sake of money! Otters should be at the center of otter-watching tours, awareness and conservation programs, not projects that aim to kill more of them!
Sign to stop Vermont from annihilating its beautiful otter population!
Dear Mr. Lawrence,
Some petitions are positive and some are definitely negative. A petition laid out months ago by local trappers is now being considered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board - the one YOU are chair of. If the petition is accepted, the trapping season for North American River Otters will be extended until March, when there is a higher risk of trapping pregnant females or females with dependent young.
This would increase the trappings fivefold or more – for each mother that is killed, up to five pups will die.
As you know, the only people that would benefit from this extended trapping season are the trappers themselves, who sell the pelts at auction internationally, and of course those who collect the trappers' license money – the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Otters in North America have been saved from extinction thanks to awareness programs, reintroductions and strong protection. Trapping has always been done in a sustainable way, but only at its current rate and frequency. Expanding the season will cause an exponential risk to that the local population will not be able to stand!
You must not accept putting female otters and cubs at risk only for the sake of money! Otters should be at the center of otter-watching tours, awareness and conservation programs, not projects that aim to kill more of them!
Sincerely,
[Your name]
