In congress several lawmakers are working on legislation to delist wolves in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota & Wyoming. This legislation by Senator Ron Johnson (D-WI) calls for delisting of wolves.
A brief History on wolf delisting.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed federal protections for gray wolves in 2012 and turned over state management. Shortly after the 2012 delisting these states rushed to create legislation that allowed for hunting of gray wolves. Wisconsin became the only state that allowed the barbaric use of dogs to hunt wolves; Wisconsin quite literally throws dogs to wolves. Source Wyoming called for shooting wolves on sight. Minnesota allowed for the use of inhumane snare traps on wolves. In Michigan the legislature tried to go against the public referendum that voted no against a wolf hunt.
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) in 2012 filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore federal protections for Great Lakes wolves under the Endangered Species Act.
After three years of state sanctioned wolf hunts in Wisconsin and Minnesota a federal judge intervened with a decision on the 2012 HSUS lawsuit.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., ruled that the removal was “arbitrary and capricious” and violated the federal Endangered Species Act.
In her ruling, Howell wrote: “Wolves are the subject of heated disputes, with those on every side of the issue offering heartfelt arguments as to how best to manage this unique species. The last decade of litigation is a testament to those passions.” Howell said that while the Fish and Wildlife Service and others may have “practical policy reasons” for removing protections for wolves, federal regulations protecting endangered species trump those concerns. “At times, a court must lean forward from the bench to let an agency know, in no uncertain terms, that enough is enough,” Howell wrote in the decision. “This case is one of those times.” Judge Howell’s statement
Recent wolf delisting threats.
The GOP led anti-wolf senators want Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) to use her influence to push her democratic colleagues to pass this bill. But there is one senator, Senator Maria Cantrell (D-Washington) that is standing in the way.
The ant-wolf senators from Wisconsin are not happy that Washington State Senator Maria Cantrell (D) is holding up their wolf delisting bill. In the following news statement these anti wolf legislators stated:
“It is our understanding that Congress is on the brink of passing this bill,” the GOP lawmakers said. “However, we have been informed that Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) is standing in the way of the delisting legislation. We expect Senator Baldwin to use her new influence as a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team to push her colleagues to pass this bill.” Source
It’s time to tell congress to stop the attacks on the Endangered Species Act: please take action for wolves
First contact your senators using this easy form Democracy.io (click on the blue highlighted words)
Tell your members of congress that you want them to protect wolves from states that have proven they cannot manage an endangered species. Ask them not to sign onto any legislation or riders that call for delisting wolves.
Next contact Senator Tammy Baldwin and ask her not to support GOP led wolf delisting bills or riders. Ask her to stand against any threats to the endangered speciecies act.
If you are on twitter:
For Senator Tammy Baldwin’s Facebook page click HERE
Lastly please contact Senator Maria Cantrell (D-WA) and thank her for holding the line against wolf delisting legislation. We support your efforts on behalf of the imperiled wolf!
Senator Maria Cantrell’s Facebook page click Here
Please also note a new threat to wolves in Michigan from Humane Society of the United States:
Michigan: Speak up to stop a wolf hunt
Michigan’s wolves are under threat once again.
In the 2014 general election, Michigan voters soundly rejected two referendums on the trophy hunting and trapping of the state’s small population of wolves. But now, the Michigan legislature is trying to rush through another bill, SB 1187, that would once again designate wolves as a game species to be hunted and trapped—in spite of that public rejection of wolf hunting at the ballot box just two years ago.
The Michigan legislature should heed the voice of its citizens, who have stated in no uncertain terms that they do not support the recreational hunting and trapping of wolves. Your voice is needed now to protect Michigan’s wolves.
TAKE ACTION
Calling is the one of the most effective actions you can take. Please make a brief, polite phone call to your state representative and state senator now. Look up your legislators’ phone numbers. You can say, “I am a constituent who cares about wolves, and I’m calling to urge you to respect the voice of the people and reject SB 1187.”
After your call, use the form below to send a follow-up message. Editing your message will help it stand out.
Your Message Click HERE to fill out HSUS action for Michigan wolves
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Feature imaged a wolf used in action alert is a photograph by John E Marriott
You Must, stop the slaughter of innocent beautiful and majestic creatures.
Will it make a difference to call from other states outside Minnesota, Wisconsin and Wyoming? Would we have a say that counts despite not living there?