When the previous regime left office, wildlife conservationists breathed a collective sigh of relief thinking that the worst assault on wildlife since the 19th century had past. We were soon disabused of our relaxation when the Department of Interior announced it was de-listing the grey wolf and allowing the states in the Northern Rockies to resume their wolf killing habit. Idaho and Wyoming state officials have stated they intend to kill up to 700 "predatory animals" reversing gains that have taken years and millions of dollars to achieve. The decision could not come at a worse time as grey wolf populations are just beginning to recover from near extermination. Despite twenty-six years of federal protection, the wolf is in a fragile state. Wolves in Yellowstone National Park have declined by 27% due to disease that takes a heavy toll on pups. One pack has lost all of its 24 pups. If the federal protections are raised on May 4th newborn pups and their mothers outside the park will be killed. Stock depredation cannot justify these "shoot on sight" policies. Wolves preying on livestock is now unusual. Only 43 taking permits have been issued by the US Fish & Wildlife Service allowing landowners to kill threatening animals. Organizations such Defenders of Wildlife compensates ranchers for 100% of the value of livestock confirmed to be killed by wolves. The equally sad part of this story is that an administration that promised Americans it would base its environmental protection decisions on scientific evidence is endorsing a plan hatched by a regime uninterested in the health of wildlife. Some 230 scientists have expressed their opinion that taking the grey wolf off the endangered species list would result in a severe reduction in numbers that increases the threat of their extinction. Wolves have been persecuted in this country since European settlement. They once lived all over the continent, now they are restricted to five percent of their historic range. Surely in the 21st century a species that loves its canine companions can reach a level of enlightenment that allows the remaining ancestral wolves to live in peace. Call, write or send an e-mail to Secretary Ken Salazar requesting that the Department reconsider its decision to make a ghost of the grey wolf.
[photo courtesy of NRDC]