Target: Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks of Alberta, Canada
Goal: Protect bighorn sheep from selenium poisoning caused by coal mining, and clean up contaminated sites.
Coal mines are leaching copious amounts of the dangerous chemical selenium into the environment. Many of these mines are in the mountains where bighorn sheep abound. As a result, these majestic creatures are being poisoned by, and this has been going on for years with the government’s knowledge. Selenium is toxic in large quantities, and several flocks of bighorn sheep have been found to be well above the safe levels of this mineral. One result of selenium toxicity is reproductive complications, and the reproduction of bighorn sheep near coal mines is at an all-time low.
A recently retired government scientist reports that this blatant poisoning has been known for years, yet the government has neglected to do anything about it. Sign this petition to urge the office of the environment to clean up these poisoned areas and protect the bighorn sheep.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Nixon,
In light of the current conflict over coal mining in Alberta, a new argument against this questionable industry has come to light: the selenium poisoning of bighorn sheep near old coal mines. Recent reports indicate that your department has been aware that bighorn sheep have levels of selenium far above the safe threshold, and this is caused by their habitat being poisoned by coal mining operations. Selenium toxicity causes reproductive issues, and flock size near coal mines is at an all-time low. This has been going on for years, and the government of Alberta has failed to respond. This is unacceptable.
I ask you to clean up any contaminated coal mine sites in Alberta and ensure that bighorn sheep are protected from selenium toxicity. I also urge you to consider this issue as another reason to stop future coal mining in the Rocky Mountains.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Carmen Edenhofer
Coal mining can be done responsibly. Please do something about the selenium poisoning.
Save one of the iconic symbols of our state
Canada!
Try to save something just one time, not only distroy everything on your meaningless way …..
This is horrific
Absolutely outrageous. Jason, have a heart! I though we were all humans, if so, where is the humanity?
Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks of Alberta, Canada
Protect bighorn sheep from selenium poisoning caused by coal mining, and clean up contaminated sites.
The sheep need to be protected. We need to do all we can to preserve our remaining species of animals. We can do it; we all just have to work together and be willing to communicate and merge ideas.
Mr Jason Nixon, Please do your part to stop all of the poison seeping into our environment for the protection of all animals, humans. Hasn’t every specie suffered enough!
IT IS TIME TO CLEAN UP AND SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE THERE…FOR THEY CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES AND THEY DID NOT CAUSE THIS REVERSIBLE MESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT DROP THIS BALL!
well said Maria….I agree with all that you are saying….please we must help the environment and all the beautiful wildlife that this is affecting…..please please….
Coal is dead and buried folks. Let’s move on. Clean up those contaminated sites so people may be able to have water again.
I agree with all the above statements. Humans made this mess, because of coal mining. Now, the humans need to clean up their mess, for the sake of the animals that can’t do it themselves. I’m sure it us affecting humans in that area, too. Is there run-off from the mines contaminating the water sources there? If the animals are suffering, you can be assured that humans are, too. Please clean up the contamination.
Stop the senseless murdering of whole life ,,,, IMMEDIATELY ‼️ God created them for a very good reason‼️
All beings on this planet deserve to live the life they were meant to live. Unless one is a killer/abuser – their hatred revoked their rights – they must be removed from society for the rest of their lives. IN MY OPINION
These majestic animals have the same right to life as we do. Coal mining is a dirty process and the industry doesn’t care what they harm. Coal has destroyed mountains, animals, water, and without a second thought. In kindergarten we learn to clean up our messes. Is this not also true for coal?
Is it any wonder people hate industries like coal? The big horn sheep do not need to die due to coal’s lack of concern yet clean up is a must! If not by the industry doing the damage then people not in the industry need to clean up in order to save the lives of these animals who can not clean up to protect themselves. In this time of climate change we need the animals. Coal? Not so much.
All mines responsible for killing the big horn sheep (and any other animals) must be severely charged with animal cruelty and any other charges that can thrown against them. It must be made illegal for the mines to dispose of chemicals the way they currently are. If the mines refuse to change and dispose of the chemicals a different way to stop killing the animals, then the mines should be forced to shut down. The mines need to be charged at least $1 million in fines. If the do it again, it goes up to $2 million, then $3 million, etc.
HUMANITY STINKS!!! Shone on these people!
There is so much animal abuse in Canada which shows that they just don’t give a damn!
God damned humans don’t care what they destroy and murder so long as profits are good.
THOSE RESPONSIBLE ARE MORONS. THIS IS ANIMAL CRUELTY.
Government … the most stupidest, corrupt system in the world. These are the people we have to rely on to get anything done. THAT’S WHY … NOTHING!!!!! IS DONE.
Stop killing off these and all other precious wildlife due to your corporate greed, indifference and stupidity…..IMO
It is becoming common knowledge that the Country of Canada has complete disregard for other forms of life other than Humans. Well known for it’s cruel slaughter of seals every year along with other Animal Cruelty reports, it is not surprising that the Canadian Government has known for years about the environmental harm caused by selenium. A harm that is poisoning bighorn sheep. Reckless and irresponsible Governments are the very reason that the general public develops a hatred for their Governments.
It’s your OBLIGATION to CLEAN UP these poisoned areas and PROTECT the BIGHORN SHEEP!!!!
HUMANS ARE NOT THE ONLY SPECIES ON THIS PLANET (AND THE MOST DISGUSTING SPECIES…)….CLEAN YOUR SHIT AFTER YOU, YOU HYPOCRITICAL CANADA!!!! SHAME & DISGRACE!