Tell Wyoming and Montana: Hands Off Yellowstone Wolves
Jamie Rappaport Calrk, Defenders of Wildlife
I wanted to make sure you didn't miss the note I sent you last week. So far, at least seven Yellowstone National Park wolves have been shot and killed just outside the parks border since hunting season began. Five of these animals were wearing radio collars and were the subjects of an intensive conservation research study.
We didn't think the situation in Wyoming (or Montana) could get any worse -- but it just did.
Last week, it was discovered that at least seven Yellowstone National Park wolves have been shot and killed just outside the park's borders. Five of these animals were wearing radio collars and were the subjects of an intensive conservation research study.
Wolves roam widely in search of food or mates. It's natural for them to occasionally wander briefly outside the park's invisible borders, but that shouldn't make them fair game for hunters.
Wolves are remarkable creatures. As top predators, they help maintain the balance of nature. Wolf-watching tourism attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and it annually generates an estimated $35 million in revenue for the region. Twice that amount once money filters through local economy.
The loss of study wolves is especially tragic. It sets back years of conservation research that helps to resolve myths and misconceptions about wolves.
As you know, Defenders has joined other organizations in federal court to re-list all of Wyoming's wolves under the Endangered Species Act. But even if we prevail in court, it won't happen fast enough to stop this immediate crisis on the Yellowstone park border.
Tell the governors of Montana and Wyoming to immediately halt the shooting of Yellowstone's wolves
Photo Credit: © USFWS
At least five radio-collared wolves have been shot along the park boundary. It’s a huge setback for wolf research.
Tell Wyoming and Montana: Hands off Yellowstone wolves!
Please take a moment to demand immediate protection for Yellowstone's wolves!
Sincerely,
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Jamie Rappaport Clark President Defenders of Wildlife |