Aerial gunning of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies to continue

 

 

Dear Terry,  Weeks ago, we received heartbreaking news regarding the decision of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. After two years of review, they determined that protecting the Northern Rockies Grey Wolves under the Endangered Species Act was “unwarranted.” This decision exposes the population to increased vulnerability concerning genetic viability and heightened risk of extirpation, as it allows intense trapping, hunting, and aerial gunning of gray wolves in the Northern Rockies to continue.  While the Service asserts that their determination was informed by the best available science, scientists have demonstrated otherwise.   “The Service failed to honor its delisting plan just as the state of Idaho has failed to manage wolves ‘like mountain lions and black bears’ as they publicly swore to do at the federal wolf delisting hearing. Aerial gunning of animals, killing wolf pups for bounties worth thousands, and widespread traps and deadly snares have no place in responsible wildlife management,” said IWCN Executive Director Suzanne Asha Stone.

 

 

But this is not the end. Their decision is now challengeable under federal law. Ten other conservation groups and IWCN initiated legal action against the Department of the Interior and the Service for their failure to safeguard wolves.   “The Service’s finding seems to give the green light for states hostile to wolves to follow suit with Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming’s aggressive killing regimes if they are eventually delisted and transferred to state management West wide,” said Kelly Nokes, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center representing the groups. “We will continue to fight for the protections this iconic species needs to be rightfully restored across the West’s wild landscape—protections that some states have shown only the Endangered Species Act can really provide.” Further details can be found here.  To contribute to our ongoing efforts to protect wolves in the Northern Rockies, please consider donating today in support of our continued advocacy for wolf preservation in the region.  Our commitment to safeguarding wolves in the Northern Rockies continues, and your dedication to protecting their future makes that possible.

 

For the Wild Ones,

 

Suzanne Asha Stone Executive Director International Wildlife Coexistence Network