Colorado Daily - July 16, 1999 - The former director of
the Colorado Division of Wildlife's lynx-reintroduction program
attempted to silence one of his most outspoken critics CU biology
professor Marc Bekoff by threatening to withhold grant monies and
personal funds from the university, the Colorado Daily has learned.
John Seidel, who headed the state agency's controversial
program until his retirement three months ago, wrote to CU President
John Buechner in March and asked him to "look into" Bekoff's public
criticism of the program.
"I would appreciate it if you could have your staff look
into this matter and explore the possibility of a meeting between your
dean, Dr. Bekoff and personnel from the Division," Seidel wrote Buechner.
"I am quite frustrated by this situation and would appreciate any
suggestions you might have for reducing this public conflict."
Seidel did not use CDOW stationery for his letter but
nevertheless acknowledged that he composed his thoughts while wearing
"several hats."
In his letter, Seidel complained to Buechner about how
Bekoff had criticized the CDOWs lynx-reintroduction program at a
November 1998 academic conference in London.
"Hopefully, state funds did not pay for that trip,"
Seidel declared.
Seidel also complained to Buechner that Bekoff "has used
his position to organize students into protests" over the
lynx-reintroduction program, which, at the time, was operating at a
40-percent mortality rate.
Moreover, Seidel decried Bekoffs practice of submitting
lynx-related letters and op-ed pieces to local newspapers.
"He (Bekoff) states he is a scientist yet I have seen
little science and a lot of something called yellow journalism," Seidel
wrote.
Seidel then laid out the financial consequences of the
situation to Buechner.
"I have applied to the Turner Foundation for a $30,000
grant to be used with a university to sponsor a graduate student to do
an in-depth study of lynx ecology," Seidel explained. "I have been
discussing the possibility of giving this money to CU ...(but) after the
recent attack by Dr. Bekoff my coworkers have insisted that we direct
the money to CSU."
The $30,000 grant wasn't the only leverage that the
state official used in his attempt to influence Buechner.
"My wife and I both graduated from CU and we are DINKS
(double income no kids)," Seidel declared. "My current will leaves
one-fourth of my estate to the school of environmental studies at CU.
Dr. Bekoff has seriously made me consider changing my will."
Richard Byyny, chancellor of CU-Boulder, was quick to
support Bekoff.
"Marc, we value you. Keep up the good work on behalf of
the University," Byyny declared in an e-mail message to the outspoken
biology professor.
Byyny then composed a letter to Seidel.
"We are grateful that you have put our environmental
studies program in your will, and we of course hope that you will not
change your mind," Byyny wrote. "We also hope that you will make your
decision about the Turner Foundation funds based upon who is really most
qualified to conduct the lynx ecology
study."
In an interview this week, Byyny described the
significance of the situation.
"I stood up for (Bekoff's) right to speak out, and for
his academic freedom," Byyny said. Bekoff, who has published more than
150 peer-reviewed articles and 10 books on a host of animal-related
subjects, was stunned by strange events.
"My first two reactions were anger and incredulity," the
CU biology professor said. "It felt like I was being blindsided."
Seidel, who continues to defend the scientific soundness
of the CDOWs lynx-reintroduction program, nevertheless regrets his
letter to Buechner.
"The letter was a horrible mistake," Seidel said this
week. "It was very poor judgment on my part."
Seidel, a 28-year veteran of the CDOW, acknowledged that
the situation contributed to his decision to retire last April.
"This whole (lynx-reintroduction) project got very
stressful, and I didn't need that," Seidel said. "I'm a biologist, and I
wanted to do a biologists job, but it got very political.
Seidel's comments certainly ring true for environmental
activists opposed to Vail Resorts controversial "Category III"
expansion. Activists have long maintained that government agencies have
failed to adhere to environmental protection laws that could have and
should have prevented Vail from expanding into what many studies have
concluded is critical lynx habitat.
Curiously, the CDOW, thanks to yet another piece of
questionable correspondence, has found itself embroiled in the middle of
the Vail controversy as well.
In a Nov. 12, 1997 e-mail obtained through the Freedom
of Information Act, CDOW employee Rick Kahn described a meeting that
state officials had the previous day with representatives of Vail
Associates.
Kahn described a "quid pro quo" agreement that Vail
attorneys proposed to the CDOW.
"VA posed the following question," Kahn recalled in the
e-mail. "If VA takes the lead in securing funding for lynx (and)
wolverine recovery, would the state be willing to release VA from all
further obligations for preserving and protecting lynx habitat in the
Vail ski area expansion zone?"
According to Seidel, the CDOW "took the money
(approximately $200,000), but we didn't give them anything for it."
Bekoff and many others aren't so sure.
"As far as the Vail connection goes, there are a lot of
strings that nobody seems to be able to tie together," he said.
Still, Bekoff said he was "amazed" that state officials
such as Seidel and Kahn would leave such a damning record of their
actions.
"Don't they realize that this stuff is going to come out
eventually?" he asked.
=======================
Part 2: Lynx and academic freedom
by Marc Bekoff <[email protected]>
Guest Opinion
Lynx, freedom of speech and academic tenure seem strange
partners.
However, recent stories in the Camera (July 17, p. 1B)
and other newspapers have shown that they aren't. Prior to the
reintroduction of Canadian lynx into Southwestern Colorado on Feb. 3,
1999, I and others were against their release, although we've supported
other similar efforts. Opposition was broad-based and involved people
who rarely talked with one another (animal rights activists, ranchers
and wool growers). Shared concerns centered on questionable political,
social, economical and biological aspects of the project.
Lynx:
We also were told: (1) Vail Associates gave $200,000 to the project
(questions about a Vail-CDOW connection concerning Vail's proposed
Category III expansion into suitable lynx habitat were hastily
dismissed, but there's evidence that CDOW did pursue this possibility).
(2) Lynx no longer live in Colorado (but experts strongly disagree, no
lynx surveys were conducted around Vail after their expansion was
approved in 1994, and lynx have recently been "rediscovered" in Oregon.
(3) A death rate of 50 percent was expected and acceptable. When I asked
why 50 percent mortality was acceptable I was told because "they'll die
up there anyway."
I also was told no public opinion survey concerning
the lynx project was done. Subsequently, Mr. Seidel referred to the lynx
release as "an experiment of sorts" and admitted the project was rushed
(http://cfapps.insidedenver.com/opinion/8.cfm). I was surprised by Mr.
Seidel's cavalier attitude. Why were his and CDOW's speculations any
more valid than critics' speculations that were summarily dismissed? I
subsequently wrote an essay titled "Jinxed Lynx" (http://www.bouldernews.com/opinion/columnists/mark.html)
and organized three protests. As each lynx succumbed to the predictable
lack of food, I and others voiced our concerns. Our worries were ignored
or categorically dismissed, so I figured these discussions were going to
be one-sided preachings to the converted. I was wrong.
Freedom of speech:
On March 16, 1999, I learned Mr. Seidel had written a letter directly to
John Buechner, CU's President, regarding my asking "pointed questions"
about the lynx program. President Buehner forwarded it to me, the
Chancellor of the Boulder Campus and other campus officials. Mr.
Seidel's letter was an attempt to intimidate, coerce and censure. My
response began: "You raise numerous important and often complex and
contentious issues, two of which are dear to my heart, freedom of speech
and academic freedom. Of course, freedom of speech not only is a right
protected by our Constitution, but it is a right that we all cherish.
Indeed, you exercised your freedom of speech by chastising me, but you
seem unwilling to grant me the right to question the lynx project. . . I
hope that you can honor the right to freedom of speech by both your
supporters and critics. Open discussion is essential when . . . there
are competing views."
Money showed its face. Mr. Seidel wrote (sic): "My wife
and I both graduated from CU and we are DINKS (double income no kids) my
current will leaves 1/4 of my estate to the school of Environmental
Studies at CU. Dr. Bekoff has seriously made me consider changing my
will."
Not only were personal funds involved but there were
hints of diverting other funds. Mr. Seidel wrote: "I have applied to the
Turner Foundation for a $30,000 grant to be used with a university to
sponsor a graduate student to do an in-depth study of lynx ecology. I
have been discussing the possibility of giving this money to CU . . .
After the recent attack by Dr. Bekoff my coworkers have insisted that we
direct the money to CSU . . . "
So, did money talk? No. The university unequivocally
supported me. But that wasn't all. It got pretty personal. Mr. Seidel
wrote that unnamed sources told him: "He is a recognized animal
behaviorist, but my colleges (sic) advise me that he has not published
anything since 1980." Not so. Since 1980 I've published eight books and
over 100 professional articles, many on coyotes and carnivores of which
I know some of his colleagues were aware. (Was he duped?) Mr. Seidel
also claimed I was asked to be on the lynx advisory team. I wasn't. He
later apologized for his false accusations concerning my academic record
and my being asked to be on his team. (He also provided information
about the lynx project.)
Finally, concerning teaching, Mr. Seidel wrote: "Animal
Rights is a difficult subject to teach since it involves core values and
would probably be better dealt with in one's quest for answers to
spiritual questions. Is Dr. Bekoff paid to teach animal rights? There is
considerable difference between animal behavior and animal rights." I,
similar to my colleagues, am paid to teach what I believe is important
in my fields of expertise. And there are tight links between animal
behavior and animal rights. Many people, including policy makers, make
decisions about animal use and animal well-being and rights based on
their behavior and also their capacities to experience pain and
suffering. Great Apes are banned from use in research in Great Britain
because of their behavior, intelligence, and sentience. Similar
legislation's pending in New Zealand. Academic tenure and freedom of
speech: A primary function of tenure is to allow individuals to speak
out on controversial issues without risking their jobs. It's essential
both to be able to express diverse opinions without retaliation and to
cherish this right. All attempts to squelch dissent must be vigorously
resisted. Who'd have guessed the lynx would be responsible for
rekindling and driving these fundamental points home? Many thanks to
these magnificent cats for teaching these lessons. Let's wish them the
best of luck on their journeys.
Marc Bekoff teaches in Environmental, Population, and
Organismic Biologyat CU Boulder. His children's book, "Strolling with
Our Kin" will appear this fall. July 22, 1999
http://www.bouldernews.com/opinion/columnists/bekmarc.html
[email protected] (BEKOFF MARC)
Go on to The
Amazing Talking Cat by Jon Carroll - [email protected]
Return to 3 September 2000 Issue
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