NRDC tells us the death toll of grey wolves in the Rockies is mounting steadily. Conservationists were unable to convince former rancher and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to end the wolf slaughter authorized by the previous regime. {3.20.08} Litigation in federal court to stop Montana and Idaho's radical hunting program has so far been unsuccessful. Nearly 200 wolves have been killed by hunters in the two months open season was declared. Another 130 have been killed by government hunters since last spring when Salazar approved removing the grey wolf from the protection of the Endangered Species Act. From the beginning the first hunting seasons in modern times has gone wrong. Montana implemented the hunt to reduce predation of livestock, but the state permitted hunting in back country areas before opening front range areas resulting in the deaths of animals posing no threat to livestock. Members of Yellowstone Park's Cottonwood Creek pack were killed when they wandered beyond park boundaries, as well as collared animals being studied by wildlife biologists. After a public outcry, Montana closed off some areas around the Park to wolf hunting. But the entire hunting program with its ridiculously high quotas demonstrates the dysfunctional relationship some western landowners have with the predator. These influential special interests are determined to eradicate the species once and for all. By the time conservationists convince a federal court to return the wolves endangered listing, 40% of the wolf population in these two states could be gone. Help NRDC fight for the grey wolf by donating financial support.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wolves Are Being Slaughtered Again
NRDC tells us the death toll of grey wolves in the Rockies is mounting steadily. Conservationists were unable to convince former rancher and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to end the wolf slaughter authorized by the previous regime. {3.20.08} Litigation in federal court to stop Montana and Idaho's radical hunting program has so far been unsuccessful. Nearly 200 wolves have been killed by hunters in the two months open season was declared. Another 130 have been killed by government hunters since last spring when Salazar approved removing the grey wolf from the protection of the Endangered Species Act. From the beginning the first hunting seasons in modern times has gone wrong. Montana implemented the hunt to reduce predation of livestock, but the state permitted hunting in back country areas before opening front range areas resulting in the deaths of animals posing no threat to livestock. Members of Yellowstone Park's Cottonwood Creek pack were killed when they wandered beyond park boundaries, as well as collared animals being studied by wildlife biologists. After a public outcry, Montana closed off some areas around the Park to wolf hunting. But the entire hunting program with its ridiculously high quotas demonstrates the dysfunctional relationship some western landowners have with the predator. These influential special interests are determined to eradicate the species once and for all. By the time conservationists convince a federal court to return the wolves endangered listing, 40% of the wolf population in these two states could be gone. Help NRDC fight for the grey wolf by donating financial support.