President Biden: Put Wolves Back on the Endangered Species List

President Biden: Put Wolves Back on the Endangered Species List

Started
June 16, 2021
Signatures: 65,405Next Goal: 75,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Wolves of the Rockies

For decades the US has served as a leader in wildlife conservation. With the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the United States inspired countries across the globe to enact similar protections. This signature piece of legislation has undoubtedly saved hundreds if not thousands of species from extinction, preserved fragile ecosystems, and enabled nature to stay in balance. 

Unfortunately, fifty years later, the US is falling woefully short of its legacy. 

When Americans elected President Biden, who proclaimed to support science-based conservation, we were hopeful the administration would usher in a new approach to wildlife management. Unfortunately, despite lofty words, science continues to take a back seat to special interests. 

The gray wolf is just one example of how the current administration is standing aside while trophy hunters and trappers attempt to eradicate the species for sport, often using the most cruel, inhumane methods you could imagine. It’s estimated that there are only around 6,000 gray wolves left in the contiguous United States. 

In February 2022, a federal judge ordered that the gray wolf must be relisted on the Endangered Species Act in much of the country. However, despite this ruling’s publicity, it doesn't protect wolves in Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming – the region where 80% of wolf hunts occur. Even worse, the administration recently decided to side with the NRA, Safari Club International and other gun-rights groups and file an appeal in an attempt to overturn this order. 

Several states have laws on their books allowing hunters to kill up to 90% of their wolf populations, and allow baiting and trapping on the border of Yellowstone National Park, a protected area. This resulted in hunters killing 24 Yellowstone wolves that wandered outside the park boundaries. Yet despite this mass slaughter, and the calls of Tribal leaders, environmental scientists, and concerned citizens to halt these hunts, the Federal Government continues to side with those who only wish to eradicate wolves. 

If the number of wolves continues to plummet, the damage will be far reaching and irrevocable. Protecting wolves in select states, while allowing others to wipe out the species, threatens the long term health and viability of the species, which requires a rich and diverse gene pool. Most importantly, as a keystone species wolves are critical for the health of the entire ecosystem from plants, to birds, to beavers, to elk.  

We urge President Biden to stand up on behalf of these animals and the ecosystems they protect by restoring federal protections to wolves across the United States, especially in the Northern Rocky Mountains where they need protections most. The Biden administration has the power to once again restore the US’ rightful place as a conservation leader and a protector of our planet for future generations.

What Happened When A Pack Of Wolves Were Released In Yellowstone National Park: youtube.com/watch?v=X8nyIyPZy68


The ask:

  1. Sign our petition to urge the Biden Administration, Secretary Deb Haaland, and the Department of Interior to immediately relist the gray wolf. 
  2. Share this petition to show wolves have support from across the country. 
  3. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with this urgent issue.
  4. Visit RelistWolves.org to easily send a message to your Senators and Representatives.

Note: Photo by Ronan Donovan

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Signatures: 65,405Next Goal: 75,000
Support now
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