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Hi BaltoSource members ,

As this concerns wolves, an animal that most of us here love dearly, I thought it would be appropriate to inform you all about changes in US wolf management policy that, if approved, will lead to the massacre of the majority of wolves in the states of Idaho and Wyoming.

Recently, the Bush administration has proposed the removal of Endangered Species Act protections for grey wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains, and the transfer of management authority to the individual states. Included in this region, the Idaho and Wyoming state governments have adopted wolf "management" plans that would not CONSERVE wolf populations, but ERADICATE them. The governments of these two states are controlled by anti-wolf extremists who will stop at nothing to decimate wolf populations.

The conservation organization Defenders of Wildlife has organized a campaign asking for comments in opposition of the removal of Endangered Species Act proteciton, and in favor of ensuring that Idaho and Wyoming preserve wolf populations. These comments will be sent to federal officials who have the power to try to stop wolves from being delisted in the Northern Rockies.

If you feel like you can make a difference by submitting a well-informed, persuasive comment to federal officials, please take action to help save America's wolves.

*EDIT** THIS IS OPEN TO CITIZENS OF ALL COUNTRIES!! I MADE A MISTAKE EARLIER IN SAYING IT WAS ONLY FOR AMERICANS!!!

Below is the same message, but directly from Defenders of Wildlife, and with links to the page where you can submit your comments:

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Hi,

I just took action to stop one of the worst wolf massacres in decades -- and I hope you will, too.

It's easy to help. Just go to the website below to take action:

http://action.defenders.org/northernrockieswolves

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to strip wolves of crucial Endangered Species Act protections in the Northern Rockies. Such a plan would allow Wyoming and Idaho to move forward with plans to eliminate as many wolves as possible within their borders.

Please help me save these magnificent animals. Tell the federal government to maintain federal protections for gray wolves by sending a message at the website below:

http://action.defenders.org/northernrockieswolves

Help generate 200,000 comments to federal officials -- take action at the website above, then forward this message on to others who care about wildlife.

These wolves are in trouble. But, together, I know we can save them. I hope you'll help...

Thanks!

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Mods, If someone has already posted a similar topic that I'm not aware of, I'm sorry.

Hey, they can't do that, that just so...evil , I really don't like that . And now, I can't help just 'cause I'm a Japanese, that's soo upsetting

Sadly they CAN. People have been doing things because they can forever.

And I wish I could help but, you did say American right? Does that mean Canadians cannot comment on the matter? If they can then I will do all I can to exterminate this demented wolf slaughter idea.

I'm so tired of seeing this. Most of the people that live out there are mad because they think that wolves are eating all their "game" When the fact is if they take all the wolves away the deer will overpopulate and other animal numbers will drop off immediatly.

I just realized that it is open to people from all countries ... so you CAN help!

I believe something like this has been mentioned before, and I will address some things as I see fit here.

First off, the Bush administration has little to no say over the status of grey wolves in these states. That is the job of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in conjunction with the Department of the Interior. So saying the Bush administration has anything to do with this, either good or bad, is simply not correct.

As a supporter of states rights (and I'll dissmeble at greater length on my views if you'd like to PM me), I believe that the states should have the right to govern the populations of non-endangered species that reside within their borders. I would assume that this is the rational of the USFWS as well, since the states where wolves are endangered are still under their jurisdiction. If Wyoming and Idaho (Idaho once had a governor who refered to bears as "manic-depressive, psychotic animals" and claimed he "didn't want them at all in his state") want to open these animals to hunting, that is, of course, their perogative. However, if the number of wolves drops below a certain point, I would expect that the USFWS would step in again, much as they did in the 1970's to protect those populations.

And most opposition to wolf populations comes not from hunters who complain about the loss of game, but from ranchers who claim that their cattle are being attacked and killed. I have a friend who's family are beef farmers and I can tell you, this is no small complaint, as each cow can be worth in excess of several thousand dollars each. Most of these ranchers will simply shoot wolves on sight, regardless of existing laws, since there is no way to enforce them in the huge backcountry of Idaho and Wyoming. It is sad, yes, but true. I truly believe that humans can find a way to coexist with wolves, but that it will be a long time before that day arrives.

Regardless, I don't believe there is a pure, black and white answer to the question. Ranchers need cattle, I like steak, wolves need habitat and food, I like wolves.

Ah, yes. States' rights. I agree that the states should have the right to deal with non-endangered animals in their individual states however they want, but this case is very extreme. The policies that would be instated by Idaho and Wyoming would pretty much make wolves endangered again, not to mention this isn't just livestock protection or preservation of game; it would allow flat out wolf hunting. Their policies would justify the murder of innocent wolves (pups included) who have not touched a rancher's property, and the use of inhumane trapping methods. In this case, I believe that the state would be abusing its rights.

Anyway, the point of this topic was, rather than to debate the issue, to make people aware of what is going on, so that if they want to do something about it, they can.