This is a story that seemed to capture so many people, including our ORIGINAL facebook page!
This prompted me to search for petitions to try to help Cliff out, even if we had to create a new petition! While it was not our original petition, we ended up pushing the original petition to the point that prompted Rhode Island officials to reconsider the ordeal! Here are a few links that bring the story to life! http://www.providencejournal.com/news/20160930/happy-ending-story-of-cliff-coyote-in-state-of-uncertainty http://whatsupnewp.com/10000-sign-petition-save-cliff-coyote-killed/ http://www.thenewportbuzz.com/councilman-florez-secures-death-sentence-reprieve-for-cliff-the-coyote/10069 http://patch.com/rhode-island/newport/cliff-coyote-captured-taken-secure-location And this is the petition by Nicole Ingham and assisted by care2 petitions that we helped put it over the top! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/335/278/545/stop-coyote-from-being-euthanized/ Here is some of the communications between myself and several Middletown RI officials including a phone call from the Governor's office: MYSELF: (Sept 23) Why must Cliff be euthanized because of a few humans who didn't know any better? There has to be a better solution! There are many sanctuaries who would gladly take him! There is no need to destroy him to when there are other options available! Please reconsider using lethal actions! Why make matters worse when there is absolutely NO need to do so! Sincerely, Douglas Lopes Chief A: (Sept 23) Mr. Lopes. Cliff is not going to be uthanized. He is going to be captured and placed in a zoo which displays coyotes. That decision was made last night and announced today. Respectfully, Chief MYSELF: (Sept 26) Who would you recommend me to so we can inquire how Cliff is doing, and keep tabs on him? Chief A: (Sept 26) Dr. Numi Mitchell of the Conservation Agency [email protected] Respectfully, Chief MYSELF: (Sept 26)To Numi Mitchell: Hello - my name is Douglas Lopes. I run a HUGE wolf advocate page on facebook, and we recently took a serious stand for Cliff to NOT be euthanized. This included emails, petitions, phone calls - I have been in contact with almost ALL parties involved and have just a simple question - my advocacy fell in love with Cliff from the start, and I would just like to get an update on his situation and how he is doing so I can inform over 108,000 supporters to my facebook page www.facebook.com/xftlowx Thank you! Sincerely, Douglas W. Lopes Numi: (Sept 27) Hi Douglas - thanks for the query. I put a small update on our Facebook page if you would like to share (Facebook.com/coyotestudy). He was ok as of 6 this morning and we are working hard for a good outcome for him and good lessons for our community. Don’t feed! Best, Numi Numi Mitchell, Ph.D. The Conservation Agency 67 Howland Avenue Jamestown, RI 02835 [email protected] Desk: (401) 423 0866, Mobile: (401) 835 1400 http://www.theconservationagency.org/coyote MYSELF: (Sept 27) Thank you so much - and all our best for Cliff! Is it ok if I check in with you next week? Numi: (Sept 29) Sure but I do have some news. As of two days ago our Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has taken charge of the Cliff rescue operation. NBCS has been asked to assist in helping them capture him safely. Middletown and Newport Police are also helping with the effort. DEM will ultimately decide where he is relocated. Dr. Scott Marshall, State Vet, told me they will be assigning an information officer to be the point of contact (and it may be Scott). Everyone is working towards the best possible outcome for Cliff. Paws crossed! Best, Numi MYSELF: (Oct 6) How is Cliff? Heard rumor he was finally captured, and collar was removed and he is now roaming free? Thought he was going to a zoo that features coyotes? Please clarify! Numi: (Oct 7) http://theconservationagency.org/cliff-coyote-postscript-numi/ Hi Douglas - that is the whole scoop. I just finished posting it. Best possible outcome I think. Best, Numi MYSELF: (Oct 7) This is a bad decision in my point of view! All you did was take him from 1 area and move him to another - it doesn't help his situation at all, in fact all it does is set him up to become someone else's problem. There are plenty of sanctuaries nationwide that would take him! Although I am grateful he was spared - I am NOT satisfied with your "solution"! Numi (Oct 8): Good morning Douglas, relocation to western Rhode Island was DEM's decision. They were in control. No one else is authorized to move a live coyote anywhere without their permission. NBCS was asked to help them capture him. We did that carefully and he was unharmed. That makes me very happy. I am crossing my fingers for one of the sweetest coyotes I have ever known. That is the only thing I can do. Best, Numi Numi Mitchell (401) 835-1400 HOWEVER,I am NOT happy with the eventual outcome and here is why: Imagine that, the relocation to western Rhode Island was all RI Department Of Environmental Management's decision. Apparently no one else is authorized to move a live coyote anywhere without your permission? So you had to go and get involved, and took control, stating that supposedly he would not be able to adapt to captivity! I call flat out bullshit! There are PLENTY of sanctuaries that want coyotes! I do not believe you even attempted anything and even tho it's too late now to make a difference, I still want to know why, and I plan on doing what I can to find out more info. In my opinion, all you have done is set Cliff up to become another problem somewhere else because he is too dependent on humans for food now, and not afraid of humans either because of that! Is that how you work?
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