8 Gray Wolves Poisoned This Year in Oregon

​worldanimalnews.com/26000-reward-offered-for-information-resulting-in-the-conviction-of-those-responsible-for-the-fatal-poisoning-of-eight-gray-wolves-in-oregon/

Authorities & Advocacy groups alike are searching for information leading to a conviction regarding the deliberate poisoning of 8 grey wolves in the state of Oregon. There is now a combined reward of $26, 000 in hopes of catching whomever was responsible for the poisonings. Not only are these sorts of poisonings dangerous to the intended targets, they can also inadvertently affect companion animals, children, and non-target individuals as well making this an especially dangerous crime. 

Gray wolves are an incredibly imperiled species; under attack from politicians, poachers, hunters, and livestock farmers. Our inability to figure out a proper way to coexist with gray wolves has pushed them to the brink of extinction on several occasions. In fact, gray wolves were a federally protected species until the Trump administration callously removed their protections in January of this year. Within months of their delisting, there were reports of sport hunting contests targeting wolves in a handful of US states, effectively undoing 40 + years of conservation efforts. This sickening attack on wolves is proof that without endangered species act protections, there are still those out there who don't care about the survival of wolves.

The rhetoric around wolves is part of the problem. Politicians siding with livestock farmers who label wolves as difficult or menacing supports a false narrative about wolves. If they can instill fear in us, they can get away with what they're doing to wolves. Without strong advocation for the survival of wolves coming from the top, there is no hope for their future. Our relationship with wolves is skewered, we lack compassion and empathy for their struggles and the important role they play in healthy ecosystems. We've seen what happens when predatory animals disappear; decimated habitats, over-population of prey animals, and needless culling. We create the cycle in which killing is the only answer - from start to finish.

The only way gray wolves will survive is if they are once again listed under the endangered species act. President Biden must initiate the process because if this year of being delisted is any indication of what's in store for gray wolves, they're going to be extinct in the United States. Outside of the welfare and conservation aspect of things, I can only assume it's costly to list and delist animals from the ESA so why are we going in circles? Keep gray wolves listed as long as possible until we can figure out a way to coexist that doesn't result in gray wolves being constantly slaughtered.

​President Biden must relist gray wolves.

HAPPY VEG