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The National Park Service has finally agreed to remove the deadly fence trapping Tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore, but the move is now absurdly being challenged in court by the California Cattlemen's Association. Thank the National Park Service for doing the right thing, and tell the California Cattlemen's Association to drop its lawsuit!

Finally, on December 2, the National Park Service (NPS) announced its Final Decision for the Tule elk trapped inside the lethal, fenced “Reserve” at Point Reyes National Seashore — to cut down the fence and free the largest of the three elk herds living in the park. Incredibly, NPS began the dismantling work the very next morning!

But just one day after that, the California Cattlemen's Association stuck its cow manure-caked boot into this decades-long battle to free these magnificent, long-suffering elk. The beef and dairy industry lobbying group filed a lawsuit to stop the fence removal and keep elk imprisoned.

You can help the elk, now, by joining us in thanking the NPS, suddenly our ally again in protecting these elk, in this national park, from the brutal, heartless, profit-driven cattle industry which wants all animals fenced, kills cows, and would have wild elk die too.

So let's also tell the California Cattlemen's Association to back off, get out of court, and get out of this (and every) national park. Their profit-driven, cow-killing business is not just cruel, but also the biggest polluter of land, air, and water at Point Reyes National Seashore, posing a human health hazard too.

Point Reyes beef and dairy ranches even get huge public assistance, including land leases from the federal government which are far below market value, a sweetheart deal paid for at public expense.

Letter 1 to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Thank you for freeing the Tule elk at Point Reyes!

As a wildlife enthusiast and one of 250,000 In Defense of Animals supporters, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks and support for the National Park Service’s recent decision to remove the 8-foot-tall barrier fence of the Tule Elk Reserve at Point Reyes National Seashore. This will restore and revitalize the health of the captive elk herd at Tomales Point and also the park’s two other herds.

Thank you for correcting a long-standing problem at the beloved Seashore. Now the elk in the Reserves have the freedom to find more food and water when they need it, and to socialize and reproduce more naturally.

Tule elk deaths will now be reduced in times of drought, and elk will help restore ecosystem health (wildlands and waterways) which is damaged by the privately-owned, for-profit, and disease-spreading commercial cattle operations.

I am one of thousands of Seashore admirers who know that free-roaming, intermingling elk herds mark a revitalization of the National Park Service’s mission: to prioritize safe, wild habitats for the park’s magnificent wild animals to thrive in, and for the public to enjoy.
  
Dismantling the elk fence marks a turning point, away from the profit-driven, ecologically destructive private cattle ranch operators that have no business being on this land belonging to Americans of all species.

I commend NPS for this historic shift in policy. You have my appreciation now and my full support in continuing to compassionately rewild Point Reyes in the future.

Thank you, and bravo!

Sincerely,

Signed

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Letter 2 to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Please withdraw your lawsuit at Point Reyes!

I am very disturbed at your recent intrusion into the divisive issues at Point Reyes National Seashore. 

Years of earnest deliberations and sincere, productive court proceedings, including lengthy mediations, have required countless thousands of hours of hard work involving hundreds of people.

Now, at the very last minute, you have stalled a years-long process just as it was nearing resolution. 

Tens of thousands of American citizens have clearly expressed their strong preference for wild animals and wild lands at Point Reyes National Seashore and free-roaming Tule elk being prioritized over private, for-profit cattle operations.

They do not belong in this, or any, national park.

You have intruded where the public doesn’t want you, only to protect monied interests.

Until you withdraw your lawsuit, I will tell everyone I know what the Cattlemen’s Association is doing, and why, which is putting money ahead of the health of America’s national parks and the will of the American people.

More people will know that the Cattlemen’s Association values profits over wild lands, clean water, clean air, as well as the  the iconic wild animals who are the proudest heritage of America the beautiful.

Your legal interference at Point Reyes National Seashore will cost you far more in negative publicity and a loss of public respect than you can ever hope to gain by helping a handful of selfish ranch-owning families desperately clinging to their brutal, polluting businesses..

I urge you to drop your lawsuit.  

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.