Am I actually supposed to believe that area has NEVER supported large megafauna and the ecosystem will collapse with the addition of 150 of them? That seems ridiculous. It very often seems that things we view as “damage” animals are doing to an ecosystem are highly benefic to biodiversity soil fertility. Half the time Im like.. “Yay science, science is amazing”, but often I have to wonder… we dont actually know what the hell are doing, do we?
I am not a rancher but I find it interesting that 50 to 150 feral cows can cause that much environmental damage to 870 square miles. That’s not a lot of cows per square mile (640 acres is a square mile). That’s 556,800 acres of land.
​
>But in New Mexico, the Center for Biological Diversity contends that water quality issues will only worsen if feral cattle aren’t removed. ***The group estimates that 50 to 150 cows graze, unauthorized, in the Gila Wilderness, a remote stretch that spans more than 870 square miles*** and is home to endangered Mexican gray wolves, elk, deer and other wildlife.
Why do the ranchers care so much? It isn’t like it’s their cattle? They’re just “strays” right?! It’s not like ranchers have been grazing their cattle in wildlife parks and preserves for decades now. Oh wait.
Maybe this whole issue would be resolved if they only kept manageable numbers and land. Then they would know if the stray was theirs and they could take better over all care of their livestock.
I worked in southern New Mexico as a rangeland health biologist for a season. Cattle absolutely wreck the ecosystem down there. They converted desert grasslands to strictly desert shrub lands.
Not against ranching but the desert is the wrong place to do it because the dry climate and overgrazing change the habitat type or introduce invasive species.
But ranchers have so much sway and power (also avoiding a Bundy situation) agencies are strapped to implement changes to cattle numbers on grazing allotments.
GeoffSim says
Oh no! First balloons and now Chinese spy cows!
(/s)
SelectiveSanity says
(A few years from now)
From the makers of [Cocaine Bear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuWEEKeJLMI), we proudly present; Feral Cow!
Its one bloody bovine movie we made.
_Fuck_Im_Dead_ says
Am I actually supposed to believe that area has NEVER supported large megafauna and the ecosystem will collapse with the addition of 150 of them? That seems ridiculous. It very often seems that things we view as “damage” animals are doing to an ecosystem are highly benefic to biodiversity soil fertility. Half the time Im like.. “Yay science, science is amazing”, but often I have to wonder… we dont actually know what the hell are doing, do we?
AUWarEagle82 says
I am not a rancher but I find it interesting that 50 to 150 feral cows can cause that much environmental damage to 870 square miles. That’s not a lot of cows per square mile (640 acres is a square mile). That’s 556,800 acres of land.
​
>But in New Mexico, the Center for Biological Diversity contends that water quality issues will only worsen if feral cattle aren’t removed. ***The group estimates that 50 to 150 cows graze, unauthorized, in the Gila Wilderness, a remote stretch that spans more than 870 square miles*** and is home to endangered Mexican gray wolves, elk, deer and other wildlife.
HighOnGoofballs says
A very ~~difficult~~ delicious decision
1337ingDisorder says
Apocalypse Cow
Those helicopters better be blasting Flight of the Valkyries
Zingfodd says
In serious need of a Far Side comic.
qawsedrf12 says
should open up some special hunting licenses
free range, grass fed beef?
Joe Rogan would be first in line
IMovedYourCheese says
Difficult decision indeed. Meanwhile the line of people wanting to be in that helicopter shooting cows is probably a mile long.
JosefVictor3 says
What’s their beef?
WifeofTech says
Why do the ranchers care so much? It isn’t like it’s their cattle? They’re just “strays” right?! It’s not like ranchers have been grazing their cattle in wildlife parks and preserves for decades now. Oh wait.
Maybe this whole issue would be resolved if they only kept manageable numbers and land. Then they would know if the stray was theirs and they could take better over all care of their livestock.
kaloskagathos21 says
I worked in southern New Mexico as a rangeland health biologist for a season. Cattle absolutely wreck the ecosystem down there. They converted desert grasslands to strictly desert shrub lands.
Not against ranching but the desert is the wrong place to do it because the dry climate and overgrazing change the habitat type or introduce invasive species.
But ranchers have so much sway and power (also avoiding a Bundy situation) agencies are strapped to implement changes to cattle numbers on grazing allotments.
ltrane2003 says
Rule of thumb is 1 cow and calf per acre.
Greed-oh says
When asked how the first attempts went, the team stated, “The first few shots didn’t land. Missed steaks happen.”
Trurorlogan says
Sign me up right now! Free range beef? Harvesting by helicopter?……can we play some CCR while we do it??