From the Inbox: Wolf pups face guns, poisons in Rockies

Hostile Future for Wolf Pups in the Northern Rockies Will pups like these face hunters, baits and traps this fall? Please donate now to support our comprehensive five-point plan to save wolves in the northern Rockies and other wildlife. Your support is critical to win our court battle on June 15th and fight for a lasting future for wolves in the northern Rockies.

Dear Friend,

Wolf pups in the northern Rockies face a daunting future. With new threats like trapping, baiting and possibly even illegal poisonings, the region is becoming a more dangerous and hostile place for these wolves.

But wolves are an important part of Greater Yellowstone and the northern Rockies -- and we’re dedicated to ensuring that this year’s pups have a fighting chance at survival.

Please donate now to support Defenders’ efforts in the courts and on the ground to save wolves in the northern Rockies and other wildlife.As Defenders works on the ground and in the courts, anti-wolf extremists may be taking matters into their own hands.

A rash of dog poisonings in Idaho have pointed to the possibility that anti-wolf vigilantes are targeting wolves with toxic strychnine-laced sausages left along forest trails¹ -- a terrible poison that causes painful and traumatic deaths.

And that’s not the end of it. Idaho officials are planning to allow traps and baiting for this fall’s wolf hunts as they target even greater numbers than last year’s hunt.²

In Montana, state officials could target up to 216 wolves³ -- nearly triple the amount targeted last year -- with the goal of lowering the number of wolves in the state for the first time in decades.

Despite the end of this year’s wolf hunt, Idaho officials have given the green light to backcountry outfitters to target up to 20 more wolves in the northern part of the state through June⁴ -- just as wolf pups in the region, born just weeks ago, are leaving their dens.

With your compassionate support, we can stop these deadly hunts and save these wolves.

On June 15th, Defenders’ legal team will be in court, fighting for vital federal protections for wolves in the northern Rockies. It will be a difficult battle against powerful groups like Safari Club International and the misleadingly named Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, and we have a real chance to stop the deadly wolf hunts -- but we need your help to win!

Please donate now to help us save the lives of hundreds of wolves.

Our court battle is just one part of our comprehensive five-point plan to ensure a lasting future for wolves in the northern Rockies. Right now, Defenders is…

• Fighting in court to restore protections for wolves.
• Countering anti-wolf lies in the media.
• Working on the ground to reduce conflicts between wolves and livestock producers.
• Mobilizing wildlife activists to save wolves.
• Working to bring lawless wolf poachers to justice.

Help support our important wolf-saving work. Please donate today.

Wolves in the northern Rockies are facing growing hostility, making our work in the region ever more critical.

With your help, I know we can save the lives of these magnificent animals and protect their vital role in the northern Rockies.

For the Wild Ones, Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife

P.S. Please donate online to support our wolf-saving efforts. Or call 1-800-385-9712 to donate by phone.

Notes:
¹ http://www.krem.com/news/local/Dog-dies-after-eating-sausage-on-trail-92560964.html

² http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/may/19/idaho-fish-and-game-weigh-traps-bait-wolf-hunts/

³ http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gINEu2y7CkxeF00gkYBTaTLG-XpwD9FIAFC00

⁴ http://www.idahoreporter.com/2010/outfitters-can-harvest-five-more-wolves/