Help Gray Wolves Recover Protection Status

Posted by Tara Delaney

Target: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Daniel Ashe

Goal: Ensure that gray wolves in the Northern Rockies are relisted under the Endangered Species Act
In 2011 the population of gray wolves inhabiting the Northern Rocky Mountains lost their Endangered Species Act protection. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) granted control to the states of Idaho and Montana to manage the local gray wolf population. The states have mismanaged control of the wolf population and it is time for these animals to recover their endangered species protection. Urge FWS Director Daniel Ashe to conduct a status review of wolves in the Northern Rockies that will restore endangered status protection.

The animal conservation group Defenders of Wildlife recently filed a legal petition to request that FWS officials immediately conduct a status review and analysis of threats to the wolves. Since losing their endangered species protection, over 1,000 wolves have lost their lives to hunters, trappers, and government officials in Idaho alone. Idaho’s governor recently signed a bill into law that establishes a Wolf Control Board to manage the population. Opponents claim that taxpayer money will be used to aggressively kill wolves down to a mere population of 100-150, the minimum amount designated by the federal delisting plan.

Urge the FWS to conduct a review of the wolves and to relist them under the Endangered Species Act. Based on Idaho’s track record and future plans, it is clear that state officials should not be granted authority to manage the wolf population.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Director Ashe,

I support the recent legal petition filed by Defenders of Wildlife that calls for an immediate status review for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies. Since their delisting in 2009, the wolves have suffered severe population loss and it is clear that state officials in Idaho and Montana are not able to effectively manage their local wolf populations.

When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delisted the wolves, it identified several causes that could initiate a status review and analysis of threats, to determine if relisting is warranted. Changes in state laws, such as those recently enacted in Idaho, fit these criteria. Accordingly, a review should commence as quickly as possible to ensure the long-term survival of Northern Rockies gray wolves.
Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Click this link to Sign the Petition