Broad-Based Wolf Coalition Serves Notice of Intent to File Civil Suit
PRESS RELEASE, April 15, 2009
On April 3, 2009, a coalition of associations and entities which are directly affected from the impact of introduction of non-native Canadian gray wolves into Wyoming filed a formal 60 day notice of intent to sue the federal government over its refusal to delist wolves in the state. The coalition, currently comprised of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Wyoming Association of County Predatory Animal Boards, Niobrara County Predatory Animal Board, Wyoming Outfitters & Guides Association, Cody Country Outfitters and Guides Association, and Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife Wyoming, (hereafter collectively referred to as the “Wolf Coalition”), served their notice of intent to commence a civil lawsuit against the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, USFWS Acting Director Rowan Gould and Stephen Guertin, USFWS Acting Regional Director for the Mountain Region.
The Wolf Coalition intends to seek injunctive relief for violation of the Endangered Species Act and its related regulations and policies. The Wolf Coalition’s claims arise from the FWS’s continued rejection of the Wyoming Wolf Management Plan, its failure to delist the gray wolf population in Wyoming, and from its decision to proceed with delisting in Montana, Idaho and parts of Oregon and Washington.
Wolf Slaughter Video
The Killing Sport by Renee Walters is [here]
Idaho Wildlife Services FY 2008 Wolf Activity Report
The entire report is [here]. Some excerpts:
Results: Brief summaries that pertain to those investigations which resulted in a finding of confirmed or probable wolf damage are available on request from the ID WS State Office.
Investigations Summary: WS conducted 186 depredation investigations related to wolf complaints in FY 2008 (as compared to 133 in 2007, an increase of almost 40%). Of those 186 investigations, 129 (~69%) involved confirmed depredations, 34 (~18%) involved probable depredations, 14 (~8%) were possible/unknown wolf depredations and 9 (~5%) of the complaints were due to causes other than wolves.
- Based on Idaho WS investigations, the minimum number of confirmed and probable livestock depredations due to wolves in FY 2008 was:
a. Confirmed:
- 74 calves (killed), 7 calves (injured) (as compared to 41 calves killed, and 8 calves injured in FY 2007)
- 11 cows (killed) (as compared to 10 cows killed and 2 cows injured in FY 2007)
- 225 sheep (killed), (as compared to 219 sheep killed and 41 sheep injured in FY 2007) (note: 12 of the 225 sheep confirmed killed were from one depredation incident that occurred just across the state line in Lincoln County, Wyoming)
- 13 dogs (killed), 8 dogs (injured) (as compared to 6 dogs killed and 4 injured in FY 2007)
b. Probable:
- 23 calves (killed), 1 calf (injured) (as compared to 20 calves killed and 1 calf injured in FY 2007)
- 4 cows (killed) (as compared to 3 cows killed in FY 2007)
- 63 sheep (killed), 3 sheep (injured) (as compared to 14 sheep killed and 148 sheep missing and presumed dead and 1 injured in FY 2007). (note: 13 of the sheep listed as probable wolf kills were involved in the depredation in Wyoming that is listed above).
- 1 dog (killed), 2 dogs (injured) (as compared to 5 dogs (killed) in FY 2007).
The Hailey Wolf Rally
by Tony Mayer, SaveElk.com
I would estimate 300-350 in attendance and the parking lot was full of cars. The meeting started at 6:00 pm and the caretakers had to turn out the lights at 11:00 pm –- there simply was not enough time for everyone who filled out a comment card to be heard. A lot of passion rose about this issue, with 99.9 % of the residents saying something must be done right away to control and remove the wolves.
Idaho Fish and Game Director Cal Groen indicated that the IDFG is keenly aware of the urgency of this wolf issue. He said his department is capable of managing wolves just as they do all other game species. Along with Cal, there were other speakers including myself who commented (representatives from pro-wolf groups like Defenders of Wildlife (DoW) and the Sierra Club declined to speak).
All the speakers commented on how this wolf introduction program has turned into a major debacle, and how unmanaged wolves are systematically destroying and eradicating our states ungulate and other wildlife. There was much public comment — all of it was decidedly anti-wolf, “get them out of here” rhetoric voiced by everyone. There was comment after comment about people and livestock being harassed, threatened and attacked, and individuals witnessing elk being sport killed and slaughtered by wolves.
What’s surprising about these decidedly anti-wolf testimonials is that they were made by residents presumably right in the heart of the pro-wolf territory. I fully expected that pro-wolf advocates would amass a major group of supporting their position, but they did not.
Wayne Willich, the Mayor of Sun Valley spoke, and he was quite impassioned and expressed his grave concerns about wolves and the way the wolf population has gotten totally out of hand in the Valley.
Willich stood before the crowd pointing his finger at the pro-wolvers and occasionally at Cal Groen and other IDFG personnel in attendance. He said that he came to the valley about 10 years ago from back East and at that time he was decidedly for animal rights, and was opposed to hunting and the killing animals. He since has changed and understands and appreciates the values of most Idahoans. He’s gotten a concealed weapons permit and now enjoys shooting and fishing, along with his many other outdoor pastimes. He says the Valley’s way of life is being threatened “to the core” by these wolves. He believes that this wolf situation has gotten entirely out of hand and something has to be done immediately. He believes the wolves have caused the natural order of things to turn “upside down”. Elk are being chased through the streets of town with wolves killing them within yards of buildings. He doesn’t feel safe in his own home as wolves often wander through his yard and he recently had a mountain line slaughtered by wolves within 100 yards from his home. That just isn’t right. Residents and visitors are afraid. Do they dare venture out from their safe surroundings? He is very concerned that someone is destined get attacked by a wolf as they become increasingly human habituated.
This habituation threatens visitors who come to Sun Valley from all over the country for its outdoor recreational opportunities. Visitors come to the resort to mountain bike, hike, ski, fish, etc, and if someone is attacked as he is sure will happen, it’s going to be a major economic blow to the area. Willich believes it will be an immediate $100 million economic hit. He said he had been authorized to speak on behalf of the Sun Valley Company and they too see this urgency and are demanding that something be done. They believe a single wolf attack will cost them millions and will result in visitors going elsewhere. They have too much invested to sit back and to let this happen. Willich said as mayor he is charged with the responsibility to look out for the local resident’s businesses and interests, and for the health and safety of all residents and visitors. He believes all affected parties are prepared to sue in the unfortunate event that someone in the Valley is attacked or killed by a wolf.
Individual after individual got up and passionately told their horror stories and voiced their concerns about wolves. A few challenged the press to accurately report this rally and the sentiments of the residents. There was some press attending and we will see if they dare go against the PC establishment and accurately report the rally.
There is no doubt that most residents from the Hailey area are absolutely feed up with this wolf debacle and are at their wits end. I believe that this issue is far from over, as everyone I talked with is dedicated to keep up this fight until something positive is done, even if it means taking directly to the Governor.
