Happy Endangered Species Day! This day recognizes and encourages efforts to save endangered species around the world. In the US, the Minnesota wolf was the first mammal to be listed as endangered in 1974. At that time, Minnesota had the last remaining wild wolves in the lower 48.
We started Howling For Wolves the same year the wolf was removed from the federal endangered species list and “management” was handed over to the state. It quickly became clear that the delisting of Minnesota’s gray wolf was the green light to initiate a recreational wolf hunting and trapping season. After millions of dollars and untold efforts to conserve the wolf, killing was the state’s “management” plan. We aim to show the public that delisting does not mean wolf “hunting” and “management” does not mean killing. Instead, we advocate for thoughtful and rational approaches using the best information available.
As the legislative session winds down, we will update you on our progress and the road ahead. But today we celebrate the wolf as an endangered species that was brought back from the brink of extinction. With a 25% drop in population within one year of delisting, the experience of Minnesota wolves shows just how fragile recovery is. We must hold our lawmakers and government agencies accountable for their management of the wolf, a legacy species.
Howling for Wolves is recognized as THE organization doing the most at the state level to protect wolves in this post-delisting world where “management” means recreational killing. The fight to protect wolves for future generations is now at the state level, and we urgently need your help. Our radio ad is still on the air, raising awareness and ruffling feathers. But it costs thousands of dollars and we need your donations to keep the momentum going. Please donate today!
Keep howling,
Howling for Wolves
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