Government corruption related to pandering to special interests is now capturing headlines more than ever. As a scientist with a specialization in canid and predator biology, I’m greatly concerned about an issue within my field that receives little if any meaningful media coverage. State wildlife agencies cater almost exclusively to narrow user groups despite changing demographics of public trust resources, and when my work as an independent scientist challenged the status quo policy positions within the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife my career was essentially terminated.
The attached testimonial is my “coming out”. It’s intended to give readers a specific, informed first-hand account of the power that state agencies wield on obstructing productive field work and discriminating against freedom of speech when scientists challenge their authority and policies. I hope that others may find the courage and inspiration to document similar discrimination and abuses, and that much needed reform may be jump-started within wildlife institutions.
To read the document in its entirety, please click here:
Way, J. G. 2016. Blackballed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: Research Obstruction Testimonial by an Independent Eastern Coyote/Coywolf Biologist. Eastern Coyote Research Publications 5: 1-15. URL: http://easterncoyoteresearch.com/downloads/ResearchObstructionTestimonialSept2016.pdf.
Please consider contacting the Governor of Massachusetts to voice your opinion. Thanks in advance.
In Praise of ‘Blackballed’:
“Jon’s testimonial is beautiful, and reflects what I see going on in so many places within wildlife agencies. It takes a lot of courage to do what Jon did by ‘coming out’. I have huge respect for him and glad there are people like Jon in this world.” Cristina Eisenberg, Ph.D., Chief Scientist at Earthwatch Institute and author of The Carnivore Way and The Wolf’s Tooth.
“For years wildlife managers have abused the public trust by catering to hunters and people with an anti-carnivore mindset. Science and predators have been devalued as a result. It is wonderful to see Jon Way take on these agencies by publishing his testimonial of the obstruction and discrimination that he has faced as a biologist studying eastern coyotes/coywolves. With Jon’s lead, it is due time for more scientists to come forward with their own abuses in the hope to reform wildlife agencies to the respected public institutions that they should be.” Brooks Fahy, Executive Director of Predator Defense.
“This is an infuriating story of the stifling of Dr. Way’s career. While I have published about research interference at TheWildlifeNews.com before, I am still surprised at how bold Mass Wildlife has been about it and that nobody has helped him break through this interference. This is not only unfair to Dr. Way, it suppresses important research into coywolves and wild canids in general.” Ralph Maughan, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Idaho State University.
Related articles (below) about how hunting and killing predators is freely allowed in MA, while conducting research is extremely difficult to get permitted for. In addition, other related articles from other states are included below too.
2021 Major Updates!!! Please read my book Coywolf, which describes the ecology, genetic background, and management of this species as well as delving into the politics of studying carnivores. That last section on politics is essentially an updated version of this Research Obstruction Testimonial.
December 25, 2021. Boston Globe Magazine: This scientist bottle-fed and bayed with coyotes. Was he sidelined for loving them too much? This article is a summary of the plight of my professional life in the past decade plus of not doing research. It is a well written piece, but unfortunately, the story doesn’t quite dive into the obstruction part of my Coywolf book, which I amply described therein. Many of us were hoping for the article to describe the seemingly criminal behavior of MassWildlife in blocking research from a productive scientist with supposed nitpicking violations that I committed, all while allowing the literal slaughter of the same animal. Rather, it focuses more on myself and my lack of research. It doesn’t question the power that MassWildlife has and wields over people like myself.
Other articles:
June 1, 2022: Cry Wolf: Endangered Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery is Being “Sabotaged” by Ranchers who Claim the Canines are Killing Cattle – and the Federal Employees who sign off on reports. This article continues to show the lack of accountability and corruption of many wildlife agencies.
June 9, 2022: What Seaspiracy gets right about the exploitative fishing industry, by Spencer Roberts. This well-written article exposes the fishing industry’s influence in marine science which is identical to hunting interests dominating wildlife management. This statement says it all and ties in very closely to what I experienced by speaking out about wildlife management’s bias: “In essence, we have allowed fisheries industry scientists to define sustainable fishing goals, somewhat like allowing petroleum geologists to set emissions targets.”
December 29, 2021. Time to reform wildlife governance. This is a very well written article. It is not about me but about politics in WA state.
Added: August 18, 2018. Satire article on what happened to me: “Bizarre nine-year conspiracy to sabotage an esteemed coyote scientist by Massachusetts wildlife director”. To be clear, this is intended to poke fun to a serious event. Here is a Facebook link to this story.
Added: April 10, 2017. Outrage: Video of eastern coyote hunts on Sandy Neck Beach, Barnstable, Cape Cod, MA. No wonder why I have a tough time getting research permits as the state of MA and town of Barnstable would rather have people trampling over the dunes and shooting at and killing wild canids (see video for the up-close graphic accounts) while making videos of coyote hunts in the area rather than learning about them.
Added January 24, 2018: Here is the first coyote hunting contest that I am aware of in MA, and here on Cape Cod, MA. Spread the word about who really gets to “manage” our wildlife. Of course, MA Wildlife and local town laws do nothing to prevent this “tragedy of the commons”. This is outrageous: https://www.facebook.com/PowderhornOutfitters/. Article from Jan. 24 post: February 2, 2018. Cape-based coyote hunt spurs debate. The comments by MassWildlife are beyond telling. Many live in a bubble and believe these things are acceptable and normal. These contests are done by a super-minority of people and it is often politically motivated. The time is now to call them out and reform these agencies… February 7, 2018. Group plans protest of coyote-hunting contest. In some good news, many people have spoken out and are planning on vocalizing their displeasure to coyote hunting contests. February 11, 2018. Animal rights activists and hunters face off in Hyannis over coyote hunting contest. I am glad to see that the writer correctly identifies many of the hunters in their audience as “part of an anti-government extremist movement”. 19 December 2019. After a year and a half of protests and complains, in some very good news: State to prohibit coyote hunting contests – News – capecodtimes.com – Hyannis, MA — The state Fisheries and Wildlife Board voted Wednesday to approve regulations prohibiting contests that promote the hunting of predators and furbearers and up the reporting requirements for killed coyotes/foxes to 48 hours, the same for deer and bears. Also see a press release here. This is a great start on predator reform yet doesn’t change hunters being able to kill predators in unlimited numbers. Next up is to try and shorten seasons, have bag limits per hunter, and banning some unsavory methods like baiting and using dogs to hunt them.
Related stories to my research obstruction experience:
Added: April 28, 2017. ACADEMIC FREEDOM FIGHT ON REPRISALS OVER WOLF SCIENCE. Washington State U. Scientist Says Official Restraints Due to Political Pressure. This is fascinating as it is so similar to what I have experienced. This is a very important read to get perspective to my situation. Fortunately for Dr. Wielgus, the group PEER is representing him. Also, here is a copy of Dr. Wielgus’ Testimonial detailing his ‘Complaint of Academic Freedom Violations‘. Update August 11: Here is a detailed expose story from the Seattle Times on Dr. Wielgus and what has happened to him. It’s always ironic how the supposedly anti-government Republicans seem to always lead the charges of maximizing government interference when they don’t like science that goes against their anti-science stance. Update Aug. 28: ETHICS COMPLAINT AGAINST RABID ANTI-WOLF LEGISLATOR. Note: This is great news to take on anti-science legislators and other politicians. Update Jan. 24, 2018: Researcher criticizes WSU at Profanity Peak film screening: Wielgus joined environmental organizations to discuss state wolf management policy. His career has essentially been terminated by WSU because of his pro-carnivore viewpoints. May 15, 2018: In a final and fitting update to Dr. Wielgus’ experience: Wolf researcher who accused WSU of silencing him gets $300K to settle lawsuit and go away
July 7, 2018. A detailed story in the NY Times Magazine following the May 15 story above: Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf Scientist? Rob Wielgus was one of America’s pre-eminent experts on large carnivores. Then he ran afoul of the enemies of the wolf.