In October, state senate Republicans introduced S.B. 620, which would require Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish a sandhill crane hunting season. If passed, the bill could spell disaster for the Eastern Population of greater sandhill cranes.

Sandhill cranes are an ancient species with fossil records dating back at least 2.5 million years. In the 18^th and 19^thcenturies, overhunting and habitat destruction nearly caused the Eastern Population to become extinct. In the 1930s, Wisconsin was down to an estimated 15 breeding pairs; the birds had already disappeared from five other states: Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, and Indiana. Through concerted conservation efforts, the population has slowly increased over the past 70 years. In 2020, the US Fish and Wildlife Service estimated that Eastern Population number at nearly 95,000, with nearly half the population in Wisconsin.

Proponents of the hunt claim that there are now too many birds and that the hunt should be part of an overall management strategy. Senator Mary Felzkowski, who sponsored S.B. 620, argues that because the Wisconsin sandhill crane population is no longer endangered, “it’s time now to manage that resource, just as we do with all our other waterfowl and birds.”

Another backer, Bruce Ross, the executive director of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA), says his organization would like to see “an ethical and sustainable sandhill crane hunt in Wisconsin” that is “science-based.” But in crafting the bill, Republicans failed to consult expert groups such as the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission, or even the DNR. The International Crane Foundation (ICF), the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO), the Madison Audubon Society, and the Green-Rock Audubon Society have come out against the bill.

Source: Wisconsin Republicans Introduce Bill Authorizing Sandhill Crane Hunt | Sierra Club

Dr Rebecca Gomperts made waves providing abortion in international waters around the world. Now she’s prepared to help American women

Source: ‘Women are capable of doing this’: the doctor defying local laws to provide safe abortions by sea or mail | Abortion | The Guardian

Loving our bodies fully and completely is essential for our health. When we are in tune with our bodies, our bodies reveals to us what it needs for our health and well being. © Norma Bobb-Semple 2021

Our body — normabobb

SANTIAGO GALICIA ROJON SERRALLONGA Derechos reservados conforme a la ley/ Copyright Soy fiel a usted. Me encanta en sus alegrías y en sus enojos, cuando me abraza o me condena al destierro, al reír y al llorar, en sus rumores y en sus silencios, acaso porque me siento con mucho de usted y la percibo […]

Fiel a usted — Santiago Galicia Rojon Serrallonga

Source: Telehealth services to become a permanent part of healthcare system, following COVID-19 success – ABC News

Some experts suspect the real toll is closer to 1 million.

Source: 800,000 People in the United States Have Died of COVID-19 – Mother Jones

Source: Scientists Discover How the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evades Our Immune System – Slashdot