A win for Idaho wolves
Jamie Rappoport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife
Thanks to you, we can share a rare bit of good news from Idaho.
The Idaho Fish and Game Department has announced that no wolves will be killed in the federally-protected Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness during the winter of 2015-16.
The announcement comes after a lawsuit brought by Defenders and other conservation groups to stop the killing of wolves to boost elk populations in federally-protected wilderness lands like Frank Church Wilderness.
The Frank Church Wilderness is the largest national forest wilderness area in the Lower 48 States and a core habitat for gray wolves in the western United States. I know you share my view that wilderness should be managed as wilderness, not as a game farm for favored hunters and commercial outfitters.
The state has previously planned to kill up to 60 percent of the wolves living in Frank Church, in large part to artificially inflate elk numbers for hunters. Those wolves can breathe easier for another winter after this latest decision.
Still, it’s important to remember that this reprieve is only temporary and that we must remain vigilant in our efforts to defend wolves in Idaho.
But thanks to you and your support, Defenders will continue to work tirelessly to protect wolves throughout the Lower 48.
Thank you for your compassion and your continued partnership!
Sincerely,
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Jamie Rappaport Clark President, Defenders of Wildlife |