(Photograph by Mike Crowley a Wisconsinite)
It’s about time the Fish and game agencies are made accountable for their reckless trophy hunting of wolves. When wolves were delisted in 2012 states , like WI, jumped in to hunt them. This was a deplorable decision to hunt an endangered species just fresh off of federal protection.
Now thanks to several organizations that challenged a rule to remove wolves from the endangered species act, wolves are now back under federal protection. The following are the organizations that followed ethics and fought to put wolves back on the endangered species protection:
“The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization — backed by 11 million Americans, or one of every 28. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.”
“The Center for Biological Diversity is a non-profit organization dedicated to securing a future for all species hovering on the brink of extinction. More information is available at biologicaldiversity.org.”
“Help Our Wolves Live is a Minnesota nonprofit organization, dedicated to the protection and preservation of the gray wolf, lynx, and other endangered or threatened predator species. HOWL has over 200 members, many of whom live in the State of Minnesota.”
“Friends of Animals and Their Environment is a Minnesota nonprofit organization committed to the protection of animals and the ecosystems on which they depend. FATE has approximately 200 members and supporters who regularly advocate on behalf of animals, and in particular wolves.”
“Born Free USA is a national nonprofit animal advocacy organization working to conserve and protect wildlife in the US and globally. More information is available at bornfreeusa.org.”
WI fringe hunters like WI Bear Hunters Association, WI Trappers Association and along with WI Cattlemen’s Association went all out in their efforts to eradicate wolves. Fringe hunters like these insisted WI Keep populations down to an exact number of 350.
These reckless acts towards an endangered species alarmed many organizations so they combined forces and filed a lawsuit. Read more on this from previous blog here:
http://wolvesofdouglascountywisconsin.com/2014/11/01/is-wis-wolf-hunt-responsible-for-the-death-of-more-wolves-than-is-being-reported-by-rachel-tilseth/
From HSUS website: “February 2013 – Wildlife protection groups, including The HSUS, file suit against the USFWS over its decision to remove the protections of the Endangered Species Act from gray wolves living in the western Great Lakes region.” http://m.humanesociety.org/animals/wolves/facts/faq_gray_wolf.html
(Photograph is from Ted Nugent’s FB page where he openly states, “Wolf jackets ROCK!!!”)
Wolf hounding is a barbaric, in- humane and archaic method that has no place in a civilized society. Use of dogs to hunt wolves in WI is one of several reasons why wolves needed to be put back on Federal Endangered Species protection.
“In the short time since federal protections have been removed, trophy hunters and trappers have killed hundreds of Great Lakes wolves under hostile state management programs that encourage dramatic reductions in wolf populations,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, senior vice president and chief counsel for animal protection litigation at The HSUS. “This decision rolls back the only line of defense for wolf populations, and paves the way for the same state-sponsored eradication policies that pushed this species to the brink of extinction in the first place.” http://m.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/02/wildlife-protection-groups-great-lakes-wolves-suit-021213.html?credit=web_id86098878
One of the best holiday presents “Great Lakes wolves are now back on the Endangered Species List.” (photograph owner unknown)
The news came out yesterday, Friday December 19, 2014 that Great Lakes wolves were put back on the Federal Endangered Species Act, Immediately.
The following are excerpts from the Humane Societies press release:
“Sport hunting and trapping of wolves in the Great Lakes region must end immediately, a federal District Court has ruled. The court overturned a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision that removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves living in the western Great Lakes region, which includes Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.” http://m.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2014/12/fed-court-wolf-hunt-season-over-121914.html
(Photograph belongs to HSUS)
More excerpts from the ruling:
“In its 111-page ruling, the court chided the USFWS for failing to explain why it ignored the potential for further recovery of wolves into areas of its historic range that remain viable habitat for the species. The court also noted that the USFWS has failed to explain how the “virtually unregulated” killing of wolves by states in the Great Lakes region does not constitute a continued threat to the species.” http://m.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2014/12/fed-court-wolf-hunt-season-over-121914.html
Hunting wolves is not a tool for management and only causes more problems.
“Despite rhetoric from state politicians about wolf depredation of livestock, a new study of 25 years of wolf data has shown that hunting wolves may increase livestock losses. Michigan lawmakers relied on false stories about wolves to push through a hunting season, and had to apologize for misleading statements.” http://m.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2014/12/fed-court-wolf-hunt-season-over-121914.html
This decision can be challenged in an appeal by the states and the USF&WS.
Historical Range William J. Ripple, Robert L. Beschta, Trophic cascades in Yellowstone: The first 15 years after wolf reintroduction.
There’s more work to be done. WODCW will continue to educate the general public about the wolf’s role in keeping our ecosystems healthy.
(Photograph belongs to owner)
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