Thursday, October 4, 2012

Do Not Allow Unregulated Killing of Wolves in Wyoming

By Olimpia Lee


Target: Wyoming Governor Matthew Mead

Goal: Halt Wyoming’s plan to subject wolves to indiscriminate killing

The federal government recently stripped wolves in Wyoming of federal Endangered Species Act protections. Now, Wyoming state law will allow hunters to open fire on wolves in 85% of the state. Wyoming officials must recognize that it is not ecologically sustainable to treat once protected wildlife as unwanted predators. They must abandon this plan which would open wolves to indiscriminate killing.

Wyoming’s current wolf management plan states that wolves who wander beyond the northwest corner of the state can be shot, gassed or trapped by anyone at any time, even if they do not have a hunting license. This unregulated killing could set back decades of progress and conservation efforts that restored wolves to their historic habitat in the Northern Rockies. Since the recovery of wolf populations, Wyoming’s forests are thriving, demonstrating that wolves are a keystone species that ensure ecological balance.

No other animal, not even bears or mountain lions, have been subject to the demonization and double standards that wolves have endured. Wyoming officials must acknowledge that wolves are vital top-tier predators and implement responsible management practices that utilize non-lethal population control methods. Otherwise, under Wyoming’s current plan, up to 60% of the state’s wolf population could be decimated, reversing the species’ remarkable comeback and landing them back on the Endangered Species list.

Sign the petition below to urge Wyoming Governor Matthew Mead to halt Wyoming’s plan to open wolves to indiscriminate killing and manage wolves as important wildlife not unwanted pests.

Sign the Petition:

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PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Mead,
I am writing to urge you to halt Wyoming’s plan to open wolves to indiscriminate killing. Wolves are vital top-tier predators that only recently came off the Endangered Species list. Wyoming, therefore, should implement responsible management practices that utilize non-lethal population control methods.
Wyoming’s current wolf management plan allowing unregulated killing could set back decades of progress and conservation efforts that restored wolves to their historic habitat in the Northern Rockies. Since the recovery of wolf populations, Wyoming’s forests have been thriving, demonstrating that wolves are a keystone species that ensure ecological balance.
It is absolutely necessary that you and other government officials recognize that it is not ecologically sustainable to treat once protected wildlife as unwanted predators. If you do not halt Wyoming’s current wolf management plan, up to 60% of the state’s wolf population could be decimated, reversing the species’ remarkable comeback and landing them back on the Endangered Species list.
Please halt Wyoming’s plan to open wolves to indiscriminate killing and manage wolves as important wildlife, not unwanted pests.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]

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