Great news, Pete the Moose has been given a new lease on life thanks to the Vermont state legislature and the untiring efforts of many people. As you may recall, the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife ordered the preserve in which Pete lives to close or euthanize Pete and the other animals. In their infinite wisdom, they thought there was a potential for disease transmission between the wild animals and captive raised elk. Specifically, they feared the captive raised elk might infect other animals with tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease. Thankfully, the Vermont legislature went to work and declared the animals at Big Rack Ridge preserve a “special purpose herd” which transfers oversight of the animals from Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife to the Vermont Agriculture Agency. The new agency, in an ode to common sense, requires new fencing be built to prevent mixing of wild animals with the animals in the preserve.
Thank you to everyone who helped save Pete! It is great to know that in America, a grass roots campaign on behalf of an innocent animal can still make a difference. I also want to thank the Vermont State Legislature for crafting this creative solution.