Let’s protect our wildlife

Ted Guy — Wednesday night, another bear was killed attempting to cross Highway 82, leaving yet another orphaned cub behind...

Editor:

Wednesday night, another bear was killed attempting to cross Highway 82, leaving yet another orphaned cub behind. Bears should not be milling around downtown Aspen. They should be in the forest, away from humans.

Garfield County has reported that 89 bears have been killed by vehicles this year. This spring and summer’s severe drought reduced natural food supplies and pushed bears toward human sources of food. But we humans also bear responsibility. We have built communities and highways through their habitat. We continue to send thousands of vehicles down Highway 82 every day with little protection for the animals trying to move through the valley.

Bear-resistant trash containers are important, but they are not enough. Why aren’t we aggressively planting fruit-bearing trees, shrubs and other appropriate native food sources along irrigation corridors and in suitable rural and forest habitat to mitigate another drought-caused food shortage that climate change assures us will occur.

Highway 82 cuts directly through wildlife habitat and corridors. Fencing, signage, reduced speeds in critical areas and especially wildlife crossings, will save animals’ lives. These are not optional environmental projects. They should be essential infrastructure for a community that prides itself on its natural environment.

How many more bears, elk and deer must die before our elected officials and transportation agencies decide that enough is enough? We can change the policies that are putting them in harm’s way. Our elected officials need to make wildlife protection a priority, rather than something discussed after another animal is killed.

Let’s demand action: Approve wildlife crossings over 82, create natural food sources, enact stronger prevention measures and demand serious commitment from our local and state leaders to protect the wildlife that makes the Roaring Fork Valley special. Let’s not forget, this is their home too.

Ted Guy

Basalt