Our Latest Win for Mexican Wolves & GREY WOLVES

More Mexican Wolves Could Someday Roam Free

For decades — since the effort to bring back Mexican gray wolves to the U.S. Southwest began — there’s been a federally imposed cap on their population: Once numbers reach 325 wild wolves, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, it would trap and shoot “excess” animals.

 

But now, after a 2018 legal victory by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the Service plans to drop that population cap. Its new proposed rule could also temporarily curb federally authorized state and private wolf-killing — even before the population reaches 325. At last count 186 wolves roamed Arizona and New Mexico.

 

“It’s a huge relief to know that when the wolf population grows beyond its current precarious status, widespread shooting is no longer planned,” said the Center’s Michael Robinson. “And if genetic diversity collapses even more, the government won’t authorize shooting of genetically valuable wolves who were released from captivity as pups.”

Wolves are fighting for their lives – they need your help to survive!

    DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE: WOLVES

It’s hard to see the wolves we love under attack, but the worst part is what keeps happening to the youngest wolves. In state after state, we’ve seen a heartbreaking uptick in wolf killings ever since the Trump administration gutted federal Endangered Species Act protections for wolves. Emboldened by that reckless attack, anti-wolf groups are taking things even further – and even pups and yearlings that make up the next generation of wolves are being killed. We won’t let young wolves suffer and die like this. In honor of Wolf Awareness Week, we’re asking you to help save wolves and other wildlife with your support! Wolf recovery is under attack: Pitch in now to help protect the future for wolves and so many other vulnerable species! This year, Wolf Awareness Week comes during a time of sadness and outrage, particularly for those of us who want to see the next generation of wolves survive and thrive: Just weeks ago, two wolf pups and a yearling from Yellowstone National Park were killed in Montana just outside the Park boundary.   In Oregon this summer, a pair of weeks-old pups were needlessly gunned down from a helicopter by the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife in a misguided response to livestock losses.   Federal agency staff have revealed they killed eight pups from two different packs in Idaho this spring– and Idaho’s elected officials have enacted new laws to wipe out up to 90% of the state’s wolf population.

Like you, I am outraged and heartbroken. And I am more determined than ever to stop the killing. We’re not going to let extremist legislators and special interests undo decades of recovery by wiping out the next generation of wolves. Defenders is fighting back in courts and communities nationwide – are you with us? Pups and young wolves need our help. Make your emergency gift to keep wolves and other vulnerable animals safe for future generations! Thank you for standing with us to save the wildlife we love. Sincerely,

      Jamie Rappaport Clark

     President & CEO, Defenders of Wildlife

      Defenders of Wildlife 1130 17th Street NW • Washington, DC 20036 defenders.org

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