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Greetings!
Welcome
to our newsletter! We want to share with you this additional approach
to our educational outreach in an effort to reach each and every
person who has shown interest in wolves. For those who are unfamiliar with us, Living with Wolves
is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit, founded to share with the
public the true nature of wolves.
Common knowledge regarding wolves continues to be a mixture of fact and fiction. People understand that they are predators, but many still do not know the other side of wolves.
For six years, we lived with a pack
of wolves, observing them, listening to them, and earning their trust.
As a result of this time, we came to know wolves as complex animals that are intelligent,
playful and above all devoted to family.
At the core of the wolf issue is anti-wolf sentiment based on old myths and fears. Living with Wolves is dedicated to correcting this misinformation. To learn more about Living with Wolves, CLICK HERE.
Unfortunately,
this introductory edition to our newsletter couldn't have worse news
for the future of wolves. Read the following "Hunting of Wolves is on
Again" for details.
We invite you to support our mission, become involved and share this newsletter with others.
Sincerely,  
Jim Dutcher Jamie Dutcher
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Hunting of Wolves is on Again
March 6, 2009 brought devastating news for gray wolves. The Obama Administration upheld an 11th hour move by the Bush Administration to remove wolves in the Northern Rockies and western Great Lakes from federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. 
In Idaho and Montana, roughly 800 wolves - about 60% of the population in those states - are at risk of being killed. Hunting is anticipated to begin this fall. Idaho Governor Butch Otter reiterated his intention to buy the first hunting tag to shoot a wolf himself. |
Our Perspective
Wolves are intelligent, social, family animals, with the ability to express joy and sadness, and even compassion. Only a select few other species exhibit these same traits so clearly. It is for those traits that we do not hunt gorillas, elephants or dolphins. Why should it be different for wolves? They need to be protected.
In the short time (13 years) that wolves have been reintroduced to the American West, they have restored stability to ecosystems. This has increased populations of countless species from birds of prey to pronghorn antelope to even trout and cottonwood trees.
Wolves prey upon the weak and
diseased, thus allowing the stronger animals to reproduce and
perpetuate their own species. By pushing elk out of their usual
haunts, wolves keep herds from overgrazing. This is both good for the health of elk and good for the health of the land.
Now, instead of wolves being
protected by the federal government, state governments will be managing
wolves. It is Idaho and Montana's plan to authorize and license the
killing of wolves in order to maintain elk populations at a high level.
Contrary to the concerns of some, wolves are not killing all the elk. The latest available Idaho Department of Fish and Game figures indicate that in 2007 hunters in Idaho killed over 20,500 elk, 1,500 more than the 10-year average. What the wolves are doing is making elk more alert and cautious and thus more challenging to hunt.
The other concern is livestock depredation. Livestock losses have been far less than ever predicted. Wolves cause less than 1% of all livestock mortalities. Furthermore, as of 1987, ranchers can be reimbursed for losses attributed to wolves. To find out more about wolves, Click Here.
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What You can do to Help
· Make a donation to Living with Wolves.
It is essential that we continue to inform government leaders and all
Americans about the true nature of wolves. But for this to happen, wolves need your involvement and support.
Please CLICK HERE to donate to Living with Wolves.
· If you oppose the hunting of wolves by turning management over to the states, tell Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Explain briefly what wolves mean to you and why you want them protected. You can either write to Secretary Salazar at the Department of Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington DC 20240, or call 202-208-3100, or email Secretary Salazar at webteam@ios.doi.gov. It is public opinion that will ultimately determine the fate of wolves. Your opinion counts!
· Contact your Governor, U.S. Senators and Representatives with a message similar to the one for Secretary Salazar. To reach them, go to http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
· Talk to your friends about wolves and what they can do to help.
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P.S. For the most part, wolves live on federal lands. It was
a national effort to bring them back. Everyone can have a say about
their future.
This newsletter was made possible by a grant from the Koret Foundation
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