The late British naturalist and conservationist Gerald Durrell used to talk about what he called the paper protection of animals. By that he meant governments making laws that on paper claimed an animal was protected while in reality the animal was still at high risk from humans. The greatest risk that Durrell saw was the fact that laws preventing animals from being killed did nothing to prevent the land they lived on from being taken away.

The biggest threat to all wildlife, whether it has roots, legs, fins, or crawls on its belly, is the steady encroachment of humanity into its habitat. Humans and their farm animals do not mix with wildlife under any circumstances. Even the smallest amount of contact will cause wild animals to change their habits. Look at the bears in parks like Yellowstone who beg for food, or the ones near human habitation who have taken to foraging in dumps instead of hunting for food as they used to. Of course, minimal contact isn't going to drive an animal to extinction, so government-run parks or preserves that allow human visitors are, if properly managed, a lesser evil than the complete eradication of habitat.

In Canada a concentrated effort is being made both publicly and privately to preserve habitats where species or unique ecosystems are endangered. Once these areas are established they become off limits to any human intervention, whether habitation, exploitation of natural resources, or, in some cases, even human visitors. If an area is considered too sensitive to withstand even humans camping in tents, then people aren't allowed to enter the designated area.

The necessity of programs like these was brought home to me again this weekend by the news that a herd of 150 American wild horses is under threat from a lumber company's plans for the Blackjack Mountain of Oklahoma. The herd was established around 25 years ago by Gilbert Jones. It includes a couple of horses who are direct descendants of those who came to Oklahoma on the "Trail Of Tears" with Choctaws and Cherokees during their forced removal from the Tennessee mountains.

In spite of the fact that American Wild Horses are considered a protected animal by the American government, the Oklahoma Land and Timber Company has been given permission to plant trees for harvesting. To facilitate the growth of this "crop" they need to eliminate all ground cover and foliage that might compete with the trees. The company had signed a contract allowing for a two year waiting period to give the herd a chance to be relocated, but has since reneged and begun spraying the area with pesticides.

The company has given Bryant Rickman of the Medicine Springs Ranch, who manages the herd, until February 29th to remove them from the area. But where can you find room for 150 wild horses to run free anymore? The situation in Blackjack Mountain is a reflection of what faces the wild horse population across the United States as the animals are being squeezed off public land set aside for them by the very agency meant to be protecting them - the Bureau of Land Management.