Protect Our Wolves
When I was young, I was told to write an essay about any topic that struck a cord within me. Naturally, being the 13-year-old animal lover that I was, I chose wolves. These beautiful creatures have held a place in my heart, as well as the heart of money others, for as long as I can remember.
When I made that essay, I was appalled at what I read. Horrified, really. I remember the feeling of my stomach dropping as I found footage of hunters -- if one could generously call them that -- chasing these beautiful creatures down from a helicopter for miles, only stopping to riddle them with shotgun rounds when the creatures were too tired to go any further.
I noticed the sad cycle of state officials putting forth bills to reduce the wolf population to near-extinction, then realize their mistake and reintroduce the wolves back into the wild, only to foolishly decimate their population once more years later.
It’s a cycle that needs to end.
In May, Idaho put forth yet another law to call for the culling of wolves. This time, the goal is to eliminate nearly 90% of the state’s wolf population.
So, why is this such a big deal? Why am I so especially concerned with this species? Aren’t wolves just a predator? What about the prey species’ populations?
Well, to begin with, wolves are a keystone species. They have a great positive effect on biodiversity, aid habitat regrowth, and they form a sort of balance in the areas they inhabit; staving off other predators such as coyotes, which then allows other species such as foxes and even pronghorn antelope.
What can we do to help?
Write letters to Idaho state lawmakers. Write to the President of the United States and ask to have wolves added BACK to the Endangered Species list. Sign petitions, spread the word, make a roar, make a ruckus! Make noise! Be loud and be obstinate!
Idaho State Lawmakers
Office of the Governor (Brad Little) State Capitol PO Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720 Phone (208) 334-2100 | Fax: (208) 854-3036
State Senate’s Office P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0081 Phone: (208) 332-1000 | Fax: (208) 334-2320
House of Representatives P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0038 Phone: 208-332-1000 | Fax: 208-334-2491
Legislative Services Office P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0054 Phone: (208) 334-2475
Petitions
End Idaho’s Plan to Kill 90% Of Its Wolf Population | Change.org Stop the Idaho Wolf Cull - SB1211 | Change.org
Organizations
Save Our Wolves California Wolf Center Endangered Wolf Center The Wolf Conservation Center
