A little fur for thought
Dear Editor:Many people believe that animal furs are still collected with traps of the variety used by the original Western pioneers. While this method is still employed to a significant extent, a large number of animals are now raised in “fur farms” instead. Although trapped animals can await their executioner for days with limbs or even necks caught in steel jaws, as trappers are not able to check all of their sites every day, the fate of farmed animals is much worse. Fur farms crowd animals into cages so small that they may not even be able to pace in the manner typical of confined predators. In order to encourage accelerated coat growth, these animals are generally exposed to harsh conditions – their cages specifically designed to meet prevailing winds head-on in already freezing ambient temperatures. To preserve the maximum area of usable pelt, fur farmers will slaughter their stock through the use of anal electrocution, so the animal is subjected to high voltage internally. I think that many consumers who wear fur coats, collars and other accessories are kind and caring people who are misinformed. I hope that this letter will encourage you to investigate the lives and deaths of the animals that adorn your wardrobe. Lacey GaechterWoody Creek
‘One step at a time’: Snowmass resident surpasses goal of 85 uphills for his 85th birthday
At the start of the 2023-2024 ski season, Mone Anthan set an ambitious goal for himself: uphill 85 times for his 85th birthday. By the time his birthday came on March 15, he had surpassed 85 uphills and was shooting for 100.