Wolf Weekly Wrap Up

New Study: Legally Killing Wolves Leads to Illegal Poaching. A study published this week shows that legal wolf killing increases incidents of wolf poaching. Why? Because when state or federal agencies authorize killing of a species, the perceived value of that species declines. The authors of the study sum it up the following way: “liberalizing wolf culling may send a negative message about the value of wolves or acceptability of poaching.” Poaching and other human-caused mortality continue to be a major impediment to wolf recovery. These findings suggest we must rethink lethal control as a strategy for wolf management if we want to want to continue to make meaningful progress on wolf recovery. This study is more evidence that nonlethal management tools and strategies better manage wolf-livestock interactions than antiquated lethal control methods, which clearly have negative effects cascading on the population as a whole.
Halt the Killing of Denali National Park Wolves
Halt the Killing of Denali National Park Wolves

BY: Marybeth Holleman - Coauthor of Among Wolves, Anchorage, AK
TARGET: U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell

309,140 of the 310,000 Goal

Overview petition
Update #1 
Sad news: a trophy hunter just shot the last male of the Toklat family group. NPS and Alaska need to get the conservation easement in place NOW! 

http://www.adn.com/commentary/article/its-far-past-time-alaska-protect-denali-wolves-buffer-zone/2016/05/18/

About This Petition
The wolf population in Alaska's Denali National Park and Preserve has plummeted to its lowest level in the park's historical record, due in part to wolf hunting and trapping inside the park and on state lands along the park boundary. Along with Yellowstone, Denali used to be the best place in the world to observe wolves in the wild - but sighting a wolf today is rare. We are calling on U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to immediately halt all wolf killing inside Denali park, and secure a permanent no-kill buffer along the park boundary from the State of Alaska.

Denali National Park, a six-million-acre International Biosphere Reserve, is visited by over 500,000 people from all over the world each year. These visitors come to see North America’s highest peak, its wilderness, and its wildlife—especially wolves.

However, while almost half the visitors to the park used to see wolves, now only about six percent do. The wolf population has dwindled from 143 to 48 in seven years. These losses have not only diminished the chance to see wild wolves, but have also undercut the integrity of the entire ecosystem—much of which is designated wilderness. While the park’s primary purpose is to “protect intact the globally significant Denali ecosystems,” it is failing to do so.

Sign the petition to the Secretary of the Interior to help save these wolves immediately!

Unlike most national parks, hunting and trapping is allowed on many Alaska national park lands - a political concession made in 1980. In addition, as wolves and other wildlife cross invisible park boundaries onto state lands, they are hunted and trapped for “sport” by a few local residents.

The continued killing of Denali wolves has severely disrupted family group integrity, behavior, continuity, and ecology. Unlike deaths from natural causes, hunting and trapping most often kill alpha wolves, whose deaths frequently lead to the disintegration of the entire family group. In 2012, the trapping of the pregnant alpha female wolf from the Grant Creek group—who were most often seen by visitors—led to the group declining from 15 wolves to only 3 that summer.

Subsequent losses to wolf family groups contributed to a decrease in wildlife viewing that is perhaps unprecedented in the history of the entire U.S. national park system.  As a result, hundreds of thousands of tourists have been deprived the extraordinary opportunity to see wolves in the wild.

Both the Park Service and the State of Alaska have denied repeated public petitions in the past seven years asking for a halt to wolf killing in and around Denali. Meanwhile, wolves continue to vanish from one of the nation’s largest and most iconic national parks.

We therefore call on Secretary Jewell to immediately do two things:

1. Order the superintendent of Denali National Park to close all wolf killing in the entire park and preserve, and;

2. Acquire a permanent wolf buffer conservation easement from the State of Alaska along the northeastern boundary of Denali, where most hunting and trapping occurs. This easement can either be purchased by the U.S. government, or transferred from the state in exchange for an equal-valued federal easement or asset elsewhere.

If you'd like to learn more about Denali's famous wolf family groups, check out our book, Among Wolves.

And, after signing the petition, please also consider contacting these officials directly:

Secretary of Interior Sally Jewel: https://www.doi.gov/feedback

Superintendent of Denali National Park Don Striker: don_striker@nps.gov

Alaska Governor Bill Walker: governor@alaska.gov

Alaska Fish and Game Commissioner Sam Cotten: sam.cotten@alaska.gov
Michigan: Stop Wolf Culls to Reduce Illegal Killing
Michigan: Stop Wolf Culls to Reduce Illegal Killing.

TARGET: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, Michigan
50,301 of the 55,000 Goal - 1,243 from Michigan

Overview petition
Illegal wolf killing increases during Michigan's official wolf culls, according to new evidence from top researchers. Will you help stop the killing?

During culls, wolf populations in the state are reduced by 25 percent — with more wolves being lost than can be accounted for as a direct result of the state-sponsored population control. Even accounting for natural population declines, researchers have come to one conclusion: poaching increases during wolf culls. 

Wolf poaching is not only illegal, it can also can damage healthy ecosystems. These often-maligned predators, in fact, are a keystone species. They regulate prey populations, which balance the health of the local plant populations and the animals that depend on them to survive. 

Michigan's wolf culls promote the idea that wolves are bad and must be eliminated. They set the precedent for killing wolves legally, thus increasing illegal poaching. 

Sign today to stop the wolf culls in Michigan. By adding your name, you are standing for these majestic and necessary animals and sending a strong message that illegal killings should not be tolerated.

Where the Wild Lobos Are. Jean Ossorio is a retired school teacher who has spent over 400 nights camped in the Mexican gray wolf recovery area in Arizona and New Mexico, looking and listening for lobos. She and her husband Peter live in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and are committed advocates for Mexican gray wolf recovery.

Thirty years after the last few Mexican gray wolves roamed the southwestern United States borderlands, a handful of intrepid, captive born lobos took tentative steps from their pens into a silent, snowy forest in eastern Arizona. The 11 wolves in three family groups released on March 29, 1998, had been reduced to only five by October, when Peter and I made an exploratory trip through parts of Arizona’s new wolf country. Two wolves had been shot, three removed to captivity, and one had gone missing after losing her collar. As we ate breakfast in a café in Alpine, Arizona, we were saddened to read in the paper that yet another wolf had been found shot to death while we traveled.

It became clear to us on our lobo tour that the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area was no Lamar Valley. Large vistas were few and far between, paved roads non-existent, and no wolf project employees hung out in strategic locations with spotting scopes, poised to show tourists the reintroduced wolves. We saw no wolves on that first trip, but a year later a brief, tantalizing glimpse of the Hawk’s Nest alpha male among the ponderosas near Campbell Blue Creek was enough to hook us on camping in wolf country.
Photographing Mexican gray wolf tracks, © Craig Miller
Photographing Mexican gray wolf tracks, © Craig Miller

By the fall of 2000, the number of wolves in the wild had climbed to more than 20. After an early season snowstorm caused us to abandon plans to backpack in the Bear Wallow Wilderness, we set up our tiny tent under a tarp at the edge of snow covered Double Cienega. (The word cienega is southwestern Spanish for a wet meadow.) Large canine tracks and an enormous pile of scat full of elk hair among the trees were convincing evidence that the Francisco Pack was in the vicinity. As we crawled into our sleeping bags in the gathering gloom, a loud, deep howl rang out, followed by more howling throughout the night.
Mexican gray wolf tracks, © Jean Ossorio
Mexican gray wolf tracks, © Jean Ossorio

After a day of exploring the snowy woods and meadows, we spent a second night stuffed into our crowded shelter. The following morning, as I stirred a pan of corned beef hash on the camp stove, I scanned the edge of the cienega. There, at the edge of the trees, no more than 150 meters away, were seven wolves, three adult sized, with bright orange radio collars, and four smaller, half-grown pups without collars. Despite the delicious odors, the wolves did not approach, but rather retreated into the trees. The pack emerged again at a greater distance and worked their way across the meadow, the three adults moving at a dignified, purposeful pace, while the four pups wrestled and rolled in the snow like a litter of domestic puppies at play.
Bear wallow pack, © Jean Ossorio
Bear wallow pack, © Jean Ossorio

In 2001 we began what has become a tradition: a midwinter wolf country camping trip. Although temperatures as low as zero, blowing snow, and blustery winds make tent camping a challenge, listening to wolf howls from inside our cozy sleeping bags on a cold, moonless night brings a feeling of connection to nature that is seldom achieved in our urbanized, wired society.
Camping in Gila National Forest, © Jean Ossorio
Camping in Gila National Forest, © Jean Ossorio

PREVENT THIS WOLF EXTINCTION
It's not too late. But it will be, unless action is taken right away. Ask Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to release more captive lobos into the wild so these iconic predators have a fighting chance to survive.

Since those first outings in Arizona, I have spent a minimum of 418 nights tent camping among lobos, sometimes with Peter, sometimes with other women, and occasionally alone, with nobody but wolves, elk, owls, and wind for company. As of last April, when we watched the two members of the newly named Bear Wallow Pack stroll across Double Cienega, I’ve observed at least 45 lobos in the wild.

Sadly, I’m concerned that opportunities to camp with the lobos may be on the wane. The end of year count of Mexican gray wolves reached a high of 110 at the end of 2014. This year, the count had slipped to 97. Pup survival was down and illegal killings on the rise. Meanwhile, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been dragging its feet on releasing adequate numbers of new wolves to address issues of low genetic diversity and increasing inbreeding depression in the wild population. It’s long past time for the USFWS to use its authority to release wolves into new habitat in both Arizona and New Mexico. I want a new generation of lobo supporters to know the unmatched thrill of hearing and seeing wild wolves on their own home turf. We’ve come too far to watch the lobo slowly slide into extinction.

Celebrate Endangered Species Day: Protect Red Wolves, Grizzly Bears, and Monarch Butterflies. Did you know that red wolves mate for life—when pups are born, the entire pack helps raise them—that grizzly bears are able to detect food from miles away, and that monarch butterflies migrate from Canada and the northern United States for up to 3,000 miles to Mexico each year? 

These are some of the most miraculous creatures on Earth, and yet they face tremendous threats—from hunting to climate change to habitat destruction. 

Right now, the world is in the midst of what scientists call the sixth great extinction. The rate at which species are disappearing forever is as much as 100 times higher than expected. That’s why we need your voice more than ever this Endangered Species Day. 

Join the Endangered Species Coalition by taking action below to help protect some of the rarest animals around the world. 

Looking to do more to stand up for endangered species in your community? Find an Endangered Species Day—related event near you. 

Stop the anti-wolf "hijack and destroy" planHow low will they go? There’s yet another congressional attack underway, this time to derail any meaningful recovery efforts for the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf, or lobo.

Senators Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and John McCain (R-AZ) have introduced a bill that could lead to the extinction of the lobo – the world’s most endangered gray wolf.

URGENT: Tell your senators to oppose the provisions of the Flake/McCain proposal in any form! 

The deceptively named "Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan Act" undermines lobo recovery through a “hijack and destroy” strategy. This bill would give unchecked power in Mexican gray wolf recovery planning to special interests and the states of Arizona and New Mexico – and these states are relentless in their efforts to prevent wolf recovery. 

Allowing Arizona and New Mexico to hijack recovery planning could spell doom for the 97 Mexican gray wolves clinging to survival in the American Southwest.

Last month marked the 40th anniversary of the Mexican gray wolf’s listing under the Endangered Species Act. But wolf recovery efforts have been hindered from the start, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under constant political pressure from the states, the livestock industry and anti-government ideologues to keep numbers low in the wild. 

Now, some senators want to let these same anti-wolf special interests write a recovery plan that will make sure the Mexican gray wolves never have a chance to thrive – help us ensure that this does not happen!

It really is a matter of life and death. 

Anti-wolf forces in the Southwest have joined together to destroy recovery efforts for the Mexican gray wolf, also known as the lobo, the world's most endangered gray wolf. 

The latest assault launched when Arizona Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain introduced a bill that could lead to the lobo's extinction in the wild. 

URGENT: Your donation will help us turn back this attack and protect America's imperiled wildlife. 

If passed, this bill could devastate recovery planning through a "hijack and destroy" strategy, giving unchecked power to special interests in Arizona and New Mexico – states that are relentless in their efforts to derail wolf recovery. 

Allowing states and special interests to hijack recovery planning could spell doom for the 97 Mexican gray wolves clinging to survival in the American Southwest – we must fight back!

Since 1998, when I participated in the very first reintroduction of lobos into the wilds of Arizona, Defenders of Wildlife has been at the forefront of efforts to recover this important and majestic species.

We've fought for lobos in court time and time again. We've worked with ranchers to help reduce conflicts with wolves. And poll after poll shows that the citizens of Arizona and New Mexico favor the return of the lobo. We must protect them! 

Your urgent support will be especially helpful right now as we: 

  • Continue our fight to secure a scientifically-based recovery plan and send anti-recovery management rules back to the drawing board;  


  • Fight for more wolf releases from captivity which are urgently needed to improve the genetic health of the wild population; and 
  • Continue to stave off anti-wolf legislation in both Congress and state legislatures. 
We will never give up the quest to see Mexican gray wolf populations healthy and growing again. We are the voice of endangered wildlife, and we are your voice too! 

Wild animal furrier slaughterhouse asks Internet for $20K to fight "the slander". It's hard out there for a wildlife petting zoo/pelting slaughterhouse. As a June 14 court date looms, Fur-Ever Wild, the Jekyll-Hyde-style operation profiled in this week's cover feature Pelter Skelter, is struggling with mounting legal fees. 
"They will say anything to try and shut us down. I have proof that their allegations are wrong," reads Terri Petter's latest crowd funding page.
Proprietor Terri Petter has launched a third crowd-funding campaign to defray the cost of defending her business in court. Her latest crusade for cash has a $20,000 goal. As of Thursday morning, $145 had been raised.

"The article that came out today is exactly what we are fighting against," the page reads. "The neighbors and the slander. They will say anything to try and shut us down. I have proof that their allegations are wrong. The legal fund will help us prove it."

Fur-Ever Wild operates within Eureka Township, a rural municipality located on the far southern end of the Twin Cities metro below Farmington and Lakeville. Her business, described as "a working agricultural farm," showcases various animals, including wolves, bobcats, and cougars, creatures deemed "exotic," thus prohibited by township ordinance. Petter has acknowledged in court documents that there's another side to her enterprise. She annually kills many of her animals for their pelts, paws, and teeth.

Eureka's lawsuit against Petter claims she's in violation of the exotic animals ordinance. Petter has countersued. The trial is scheduled for June 14.

Earlier this year, Petter and another person identified as "Trigger Petter" each started Go Fund Me campaigns. One would cover "legal fees for hunting education" and has a $15,000 goal to defend Fur-Ever Wild in court because "we have been attacked by animal rights activists and a few neighbors to try to shut us down."

The other campaign needs $15,000 for an outdoor educational center that's been victimized by "lies and rumors." Donations would support Fur-Ever Wild's work of hosting events such as those for "youth and disabled [vets]." 

Now there's a third Go Fund Me page.

"So far legal fees are over $46,000.00," it reads. "We have been trying to pay as much as we can without compromising the health and safety of our resident wildlife. With your help, we can still accomplish this. Please donate to our legal fund so we can continue with the legal battle to prove, once again, we are legal to reside in Eureka Township and to provide the best quality care for our resident wildlife." 

When reached via phone by City Pages Thursday afternoon, Petter hung up. 

Stop fur farm from exploiting and killing Endangered Gray Wolves for Their Fur.
A fur farm disguised as an educational petting zoo wants to come to my home state. We need your help to close their business. Click her to help!

“Fur-ever Wild” sounds like a cute place to take the whole family. Described as an educational petting zoo, the Deadwood, SD location will include a chance to “pet-and-plays” with wolf puppies. They advertise it will only cost you $20 dollars for 20 minutes. For the puppies, it will eventually cost them their lives.

The wolf pups are trotted out for cute photos. Once the pups are too old to for the “pet-and-plays,” they will be transported back to Minnesota and eventually killed for their fur. The truth is “Fur-ever Wild” is just a side business of a fur farm. Before they make money on the furs of the animals, they exploit them for more profit at these petting zoos.

We must stand against such exploitation and cruelty. No matter where you live, we need your support.

Before the wolf pups are put in the arms of posing children and adults, they are taken from their mother after they are only days old. Their eyes haven’t even opened when they are removed. It’s a start of a horrible journey “Fur-ever Wild” won’t be broadcasting to their guests. When visitors give their $20 dollars they will have no idea they are financing the death of the very pups they want hold.
A business model built on breeding animals for such a fate in inhumane and should be stopped. Together we can stop “Fur-ever Wild” from expanding and send a message to similar businesses their time is up.

Tell Lakeville, MN to shut down “Fur-ever Wild”. Please sign and share our petition today.
To find out more information, please visit these recent news articles:
Previous articles: Minnesota Court of Appeals From the current lawsuit... "testimony from Petter that she was operating a "fur farm" and that every one of her animals would be skinned": http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Flaw.justia.com%2Fcases%2Fminnesota%2Fcourt-of-appeals%2F2015%2Fa14-945.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG828JONQA1AIawXK4sP9wRMkd9UA