Wolf Weekly Wrap-up

Anti-wolf zealots push “disaster emergency” in Idaho – The Idaho Legislature passed a bill this week that would declare a wolf “disaster emergency, ” and the legislation now sits on Gov. “Butch” Otter’s desk. Despite the fact that the wolf population count in Idaho declined by nearly 20 percent this year, a few dozen anti-wolf fanatics showed up at the statehouse to protest the presence of wolves in the Idaho backcountry. Not a single person has been injured by a wolf in the Northern Rockies since the animals were reintroduced 15 years ago. Yet anti-wolf activists testified that they are keeping their children indoors to protect them from wolves in an attempt to create a climate of fear.. The supporters of this bill focused on getting the state government to protect them from wolves and ignored all the legitimate threats Idahoans face. Then again, when have facts or reality stood in the way of wolf hysterics?

Despite the mob-like atmosphere, our Northern Rockies representative Suzanne Stone stood up for wolves and testified on their behalf before the Idaho Senate Natural Resources Committee. Suzanne also attended the Idaho Anti-wolf coalition rally where approximately 30 people gathered to protect wolves and gave on-camera interviews for local news media including ABC, NBC and Fox news affiliates, NPR, and several newspaper and online media sources.

At least regional media outlets are keeping a level head throughout this ridiculous charade. Read the latest editorials from the Idaho Statesman and the Magic Valley Times-News calling out their elected officials for their fear-mongering:

“Any governor would need his head examined if he invoked HB343, sending cops traipsing off into the backcountry while there are real criminals on the streets…

Far more worrying is the fact that our Legislature has completely abandoned reasoned discourse.” – Magic Valley Times-News editorial

“This pack of lawmakers is in a big hurry to allow Gov. Butch Otter to sic local law enforcement officers on wolves. But we suspect deputies and police officers can find more pressing matters of public safety — especially since the wolf population may already be in decline.” – Idaho Statesman editorial

Will Congress sell out wolves on budget bill? – This week a dozen conservation groups, including Defenders, sent a letter to the Senate imploring them not to sell out wolves. The groups asked for Congress to abandon legislative provisions to strip protections for wolves and give a tentative settlement agreement a chance to work. The agreement was reached between 10 conservation groups and the U.S. Department of the Interior, but would be negated by any legislation that removes Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Northern Rockies. (Read the letter here.) We’re all anxiously waiting to see if congress listens to our concerns and removes the bad wolf legislation from the government’s pending legislation.

Interview with Yellowstone wolf expert – National Parks Traveler interviewed Doug Smith, top wolf biologist in Yellowstone National Park. Smith says wolf numbers in the park have started to stabilize and have helped restore balance to both plant and animal species. He also had this to say about hunters who want to get rid of wolves to boost elk numbers:

“When we start killing predators because we want more animals to hunt, it becomes agriculture. It’s like spraying weeds. Is that what we want the forests and the landscapes of the West to be, a big farming operation? An author I read recently said when wolves go, wilderness goes and I agree. I don’t want the world to be so highly manipulated that we have no place where wild nature can just be.”

Wolf discussion on Oregon Public Radio – Our colleague Rob Klavins of Oregon Wild discussed proposed state legislation that would setback wolf recovery and expand ranchers’ authority to shoot wolves. Listen here.