Some Organizations That Help Wolves
The Fight for the Rocky Mountain Wolves
The Red Wolf
Save the Endangered Dhole

SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP WOLVES
Here are a just a few of the many organizations that help wolves. Check out the Wolf Links and Reading page for more.

The International Wolf Center advances the survival of wolf populations by teaching abut wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.

The Yellowstone Association and The Greater Yellowstone Coalition In 1995 and 1996 wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, and wolf recovery has centered around this region ever since. These two organizations work to ensure that the wolves in the park and the Greater Yellowstone area thrive.

Rick McIntyre and the Wolf Education and Research Center
Rick McIntyre is the alpha dog of Yellowstone wolf observation and research. You don’t see Rick in the media or at a lot of events because each and every day he is in Yellowstone, observing and recording wolf behavior. Much of what conservationists and wolf advocates have been able to accomplish is due to the work Rick has done. Rick gets no government funding and his work is supported by people who want to help the Yellowstone wolves. To help Rick’s work, send a check made out to the Wolf Education Research Center with the words “Yellowstone Wolves” on the memo line to: Rick McIntyre, HC84-Box 8, Silver Gate, MI, 59801.

The Defenders of Wildlife Wolves are a priority for Defenders of Wildlife and they have a lot of great programs including a fund to reimburse ranchers for livestock killed by wolves, a citizen action program, and legal efforts to protect wolves.

THE FIGHT FOR THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOLVES
Background
More than 200,000 gray wolves once lived throughout the United States. Aggressive wildlife killing campaigns led to the eradication of wolves in the lower 48 states by the 1930s. Then, in 1974, gray wolves (along with red wolves) were among the first animals to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act. In 1995 and 1996 they were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho. There are now an estimated 1300-1500 wolves in this area, and the Rocky Mountain wolf population is on its way to being one of the greatest wildlife recovery success stories. But the wolves are at risk once again.

What’s going on now?
On February 21, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the removal of Endangered Species Act Protections from wolves in Greater Yellowstone and the Northern Rockies, despite the fact that the wolves’ recovery is not yet complete (as there is not sufficient genetic diversity or connection with other populations to ensure survival, and because the population still falls short of the 2000-5000 wolves that scientists believe are necessary for recovery), and without providing protections to ensure that aggressive wolf eradication plans don’t quickly undo the progress of the past 13 years. On March 28, 2008, control of wolf management in this region was turned over to the states of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. In the first few weeks of state control, at least 17 wolves were killed. The government of Idaho has stated its intention to reduce its wolf population from 700 to 100 wolves, and Wyoming plans to reduce its wolf population by half.

While responsible wildlife management practices are necessary, open season on wolves, and the irresponsible shoot on sight policies allowed by this premature delisting, are not, and pose a great threat to this species on the brink. Defenders of Wildlife, Earth Justice, and the National Resources Defense Council are leading the charge to protect these wolves. Check out their websites for more information and to learn what you can do to help.

Defenders of Wildlife

Natural Resources Defense Council

EarthJustice

And the following organizations have joined the fight and could also use your support:

Center for Biological Diversity

Sierra Club

The Humane Society of the United States

Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance

Friends of the Clearwater

Alliance for the Wild Rockies

Oregon Wild

Cascadia Wildlands Project

Western Watersheds Project

Sources: Defenders of Wildlife, National Resources Defense Council

THE RED WOLF
The red wolf was extinct in the wild when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rounded up fewer than 20 pure red wolves to be bred in captivity in 1980. Now there are 100 wolves living in the wild, and about 200 living in captivity. Help the red wolf continue its return from extinction at:

Defenders of Wildlife

The Red Wolf Coalition


SAVE THE DHOLE
Ok, it’s not a wolf, but it’s a cousin—a species of wild dog from Southern Asia—and it’s threatened with extinction. Because few people have heard of this highly social animal, it has not had as much support as has the wolf. If you’d like to help, visit the Dhole Home Page for more information.

Other places that help wolves
Check out the Wolf Links and Reading page for other organizations that help wolves.