Wolf Weekly Wrap-Up by @Defenders of Wildlife

04 March 2016

Posted by: Melanie Gade, Catalina Tresky and Rebecca Bullis 

 

 

News round up on Oregon’s wolves
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife this week announced Oregon’s fragile wolf population grew by 36 percent this year! And, here’s an even better twist: This population rise occurred as confirmed livestock losses to wolves declined for a second year in a row. The bottom line: Oregon has more wolves, but fewer conflicts with livestock! It’s great to see this validation of Oregon’s wolf management approach, which puts non-lethal methods first to avoid conflicts between wolves and livestock, such as livestock guarding dogs or fencing. But, instead of doubling down and ensuring continued success for wolves in Oregon, this week, a bill that would legislatively delist wolves is being sent to Governor Brown where she can decide to veto it or sign it into law. If made law, this would open the floodgates for the legislature to make politically driven decisions in the future about the fate of Oregon’s imperiled species. This bill puts politics above science and is an unfortunate distraction from the real work that Oregon’s wildlife officials should be doing this year to ensure that wolves continue their recovery. Check out our guest editorial in today’s Oregonian!

 

House sportsmen’s bill packed with anti-wildlife proposals
 
Last Friday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2406, the “Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement (SHARE) Act of 2015,” and it’s a complete disaster for wildlife. This bill includes provisions that strip federal protections for gray wolves, block efforts to crack down on the illegal ivory trade, upend management of our National Wildlife Refuge System and bar regulation of anti-predator practices on national wildlife refuges and preserves across Alaska. To learn more, check out our press release.

Melanie Gade, Communications Specialist

Melanie handles press coverage for wildlife in the Pacific Northwest and Rockies and Plains, as well as Defenders' national work on the Endangered Species Act.

Catalina Tresky, Communications Associate

Catalina focuses on issues tied to federal/public lands, wildlife refuges and renewable energy siting, as well as those related to a myriad species throughout California, Oregon and the Southwest.

Rebecca Bullis, Communications Coordinator

 

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