Call on Idaho to Restore Federal Protections for Gray Wolves

Call on Idaho to Restore Federal Protections for Gray Wolves
Why this petition matters
On April 21st, 2021, the Idaho State Senate approved the bill (SB)1211, allowing up to 90% of its native wolf population to be killed, and in early May, the bill was officially approved by governor Brad Little. “These wolves, there’s too many in the state of Idaho now..." Says Republican Senator Mark Harris. Over 1,500 wolves were living in Idaho at the time, and over 500 of them had already been killed by hunters in the past 2 years.
On July 1st, 2021, the next hunting season began - and dozens of wolves were killed.
Earthjustice.org has successfully sued the federal government for failing to protect its wolf populations according to the Endangered Species Act. However, only 44 states restored federal protections for the gray wolf - and Idaho was not among them.
It is more important than ever that federal protections for wolves are restored in Idaho - before Idaho's cruel plan to continue eliminating up to 90% of their population succeeds.
Many would argue that the culling of wolves is a necessary step for preserving the ecosystem. These arguments, however, fail to address the root of the issue: human invasions of wolves' natural territory, and the failure of the state to maintain its wolf population responsibly: the destruction of the wolves' food sources, environment, and the neglect of their wild population. The Idaho Senate claims that the wolves are destroying wildlife, when in fact wolves are vital to maintaining a thriving ecosystem. Wolves are the states' apex predators and a keystone species, and without them, prey that the wolves would've otherwise helped balance out will become overpopulated and invasive. Pest populations such as those of coyotes and foxes go almost entirely unchecked without wolves, and prey animals such as deer and elk can destroy entire ecosystems when they become overpopulated. The real purpose of this bill is to defend one group of people in particular: ranchers. Wolves pose a threat to ranchers, as they are drawn to hunting their livestock. However, as other states and countries have proved, these two groups can live in harmony with one another, without the need for senseless genocide of one of nature's most important and beautiful creatures. Wolf capture and rerelease programs are also an option, and well within the Idaho Wolf Depredation Control's budget, yet they choose to hire private contractors to senselessly kill hundreds of the creatures instead. Not only are they permitted free, unregulated access to kill as many of these wolves as they can, but they are allowed to do so via inhumane methods such as with traps, snares, and more.
Help protect wolves and end the United State's War on Wolves. Humans are living in wolf territory, not the other way around. The gruesome slaughter of wolves and the banishment of them from lands they have lived on for thousands of years must end. Help put gray wolves back on the endangered species list and end Idaho's gruesome plan. States can no longer be trusted to responsibly maintain their wolf populations; the power must return to the federal government.
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IDAHO RESIDENTS ONLY: Call on your Idaho Governor and demand the House REVOKE (SB)1211 and restore federal protections for Gray Wolves! https://gov.idaho.gov/contact-us/ | 208-334-2100 by phone
Decision Makers
- Mike MoyleState House of Representatives - Idaho-14
Make your petition known to Mike Moyle
- Van BurtenshawState Senator
- Grant BurgoyneState Senator