Born Free USA has been closely monitoring the recent assault on gray wolves – an icon of the American wilderness – across the United States.
We are involved in a noble lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore federal protection for Great Lakes wolves under the Endangered Species Act. We oppose anti-wolf legislation in the Rocky Mountain region, where previous federal protection was also stripped. We are working with anti-trapping groups in key states such as Wyoming and Arizona to end the use of barbaric traps and snares on public lands. And, we have mobilized our strong grassroots activist network against the government’s proposal to delist gray wolves in the lower 48 states. Despite all this great work, the plight to protect the gray wolf remains an uphill battle. [teaserbreak]
On Christmas Eve, Born Free USA received a call from a supporter alerting us to an appalling move by a small group of hunters, who have planned a two-day killing contest on Idaho public lands on December 28 and 29. Organizers of the event are offering cash prizes and trophies for the team that kills the most female coyotes and the largest wolf. This twisted death derby also sickly offers youth hunter categories and is billed as a family-friendly event.
This contest is less than sportsmanly, and most certainly does not represent the compassionate spirit of the holiday season.
On behalf of Born Free USA and our concerned supporters, I am calling on the Idaho Department of Game and Fish and the Bureau of Land Management to step in and stop this despicable killing spree. Vicious and hostile acts against gray wolves must end; until then, Born Free USA will fight for the wolves!
‘Tis the season for compassion, indeed.
Blogging off,
Will