Economy vs. Wildlife - How will the economic situation impact wildlife?

The senate votes for a $700 billion economic bailout package that will come to the aid of failing housing/morgage marketplace and allow the treasury to purchase poor mortgage and other underperforming assets, with the view to help homeowners avoid foreclosures. There is also a measure to create an oversight board that will monitor these government investments.

Questions that I keep asking myself are where is this money going to come from (i.e. besides tax payers what goverment programs are going to be impacted). I fear besides the effect on us all, there will be a harsh effect on our wildlife friends. Why do I say that?

I beleive we will see the following key impacts to wildlife:

- Money being diverted from government wildlife related programs to provide funding in part for the measures mentioned above
- US Inflation increasing - less disposable income in the hands of individuals - less donations being made to wildlife programs
- Making the US more self sufficient in oil and gas - through increased mining activities with increased risk to wildlife populations
- Volume increases in domestic animal rescues - esp. from homes that can't afford to keep their pets. Increased animal abuse incidents as families become more stressed.

Lets all work toward ensuring we do not turn a blind eye to wildlife even during hard times.