Killing wolves for the sake of killing

For up close wildlife photography, including wolves, check out Dr. Mary Lundeberg's website.


Yellowstone Wolves Still Under the Gun

---

	Jamie Rappaport Clark, Defenders of Wildlife	Wed, Dec 11, 2013 at 6:40 AM
The War on Wolves is Far From Over The shooting of Alpha female 06 was a heartbreaking loss to Yellowstone wolf-watchers and researchers alike.   Please donate today to support our efforts to save wolves across the country. Dear Virginia, Of all of the wolves gunned down after they left the safety of Yellowstone National Park in 2012, none left a legacy quite like the wolf affectionately known by park visitors as “06." Last week marked the one-year anniversary of 06’s tragic demise. Sadly, the relentless killing continues, with wolves mercilessly gunned down and trapped by the hundreds, victims of reckless killing for killing’s sake. Your urgent donation today could help us win the war on wolves and stop the death toll from accelerating even faster. Now is the time to rally to their aid. The alpha female of Yellowstone’s Lamar Canyon pack, 832F (researchers affectionately dubbed her 06) was truly spectacular – she was killed during a rare foray outside the park over the 2012-2013 hunting season. The tracking collar she wore revealed that she and her pack stayed within Yellowstone’s boundaries 95 percent of the time. A Nationwide Epidemic The anniversary of this wolf’s death is a disturbing reminder that she is only one of nearly 2,000 wolves that have been killed by hunters, trappers and lethal control since wolves were delisted in the Northern Rockies. Mothers, pups and packs continue to fall victim to the extreme hunting and trapping policies – and state politics are pulling the trigger. Make no mistake – there is a war on wolves and these magnificent and misunderstood top predators need our help. We won't let her death be in vain. Will you? Please remember that our wolves continue to face incredible challenges and threats —  let this tragic anniversary of 06’s death remind us all that the fight to save America’s wolves is far from over – but we can’t finish the fight alone. We need the support of dedicated members like you to help us face them head-on. Your generous donation will go to work immediately and support our efforts to:  Defeat the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) proposal to delist nearly all gray wolves in the Lower 48. If they win, the bloodshed we’re seeing in the Northern Rockies could become even more widespread, and wolf recovery elsewhere will become even more difficult; Protect Yellowstone’s wolves from hunters and trappers by seeking to eliminate quotas in buffer zones around the park; and Continue to fight in federal court the delisting of Wyoming’s wolf population – which gave rise to the tragedy of 06 in the first place. Defenders has been at the forefront fighting to protect wolves in the Northern Rockies, and your critical support provides us with resources that are essential when responding to emergencies surrounding other vulnerable species. We need you now more than ever - for the wolves, and for imperiled wildlife from coast to coast. Thank you in advance for standing up for wildlife. Sincerely,  Jamie Rappaport Clark President Defenders of Wildlife P.S. WHAT OUR DONORS ARE SAYING: “Defenders is a beacon in the storm. The flag we can all rally around on the battlefield.” Vicky H., NC