NRDC President Francis Bienecke says a television ad campaign paid for by members and supporters of the Natural Resources Defense Council has generated a nationwide outpouring of support for wolves in Idaho and Montana who face a concentrated effort by wolf opponents to eliminate them from the range in the greater Yellowstone Basin and the Bitteroot Mountains of central Idaho. The US Fish & Wildlife Service received 220,000 comments in support of the wolves and opposing plans to allow sport hunting of an endangered wolf population that is only beginning to recover or delisting of the species from the Endangered Species Act. Starting a decade ago with only 66 pairs the population has increased in the region to about 1500 wolves . Unfortunately wolves trigger a reaction in some westerners that is summed up in the cliche, "the only good wolf is a dead one". But as enlightened nature lovers know the apex preditors play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecological balance. Both the AP and Time magazine carried articles on the plans backed by state officials and gunners to declare open season on the icon of the American wilderness. The public comment period closed October 11th and the decision is now in the hands of the USF&WS. As a member and contributor to NRDC, I extend my thanks to those who took the time to help protect the wolves. This fight is just one of many taking place to preserve what remains of our natural heritage. Please stay involved.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
NRDC Ad Generates Support for Wolves
NRDC President Francis Bienecke says a television ad campaign paid for by members and supporters of the Natural Resources Defense Council has generated a nationwide outpouring of support for wolves in Idaho and Montana who face a concentrated effort by wolf opponents to eliminate them from the range in the greater Yellowstone Basin and the Bitteroot Mountains of central Idaho. The US Fish & Wildlife Service received 220,000 comments in support of the wolves and opposing plans to allow sport hunting of an endangered wolf population that is only beginning to recover or delisting of the species from the Endangered Species Act. Starting a decade ago with only 66 pairs the population has increased in the region to about 1500 wolves . Unfortunately wolves trigger a reaction in some westerners that is summed up in the cliche, "the only good wolf is a dead one". But as enlightened nature lovers know the apex preditors play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecological balance. Both the AP and Time magazine carried articles on the plans backed by state officials and gunners to declare open season on the icon of the American wilderness. The public comment period closed October 11th and the decision is now in the hands of the USF&WS. As a member and contributor to NRDC, I extend my thanks to those who took the time to help protect the wolves. This fight is just one of many taking place to preserve what remains of our natural heritage. Please stay involved.