Wolf Rally attracts hundreds
By Emily Florez, KIDK, Mar 21, 2010 [here]
JACKSON, WYOMING - A crowd of nearly 200 residents blocked the road in Jackson Towne center. Ranchers, Outfitters and their supporting troops protested the Wyoming wolf population continuing to be on the endangered species list. They say the wolves are affecting other wildlife and their livelihood.
Brian Taylor, from Jackson Wyoming, said, “The wolves are in the area, they’ve killed our livestock and it’s really affecting us.”
Back in 1994 wolves in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming were placed on the Endangered list. By 2008, they were taken off the list in Idaho and Montana, but not in Wyoming. Protesters are saying the growing wolf population needs to be managed.
“Right now the wolves are able to just run rampant and it’s just creating a problem for everyone,” said Rustin Titensor, an Outfitter from Star Valley, Wyoming. “We are just trying to make a difference. We’re trying to save the elk, the moose, and the wildlife that we have.”
Daniel Sowers, from Spokane, Washington is now guiding tours in Yellowstone Park, he said, “Five years ago I would see 25-30 elk standing right on Old Faithful, I would see 400 bison. This last winter I saw about 35 bison and I saw 3 elk one day. It’s getting harder and harder to find these animals in the wildlife.”
Titensor said, “The elk and the moose population is being seriously depleted by these wolves.”
Taylor explained, “The economic impact of this whole thing is going to be huge to this Jackson area, and in surrounding areas.”
“You go walking or hiking in the back country and you come across wolves, what do you do? They are first going to go after the dog, then after they kill the dog, they are coming after you,” said Chris Alisi from Jackson, Wyoming.
Titensor explained, “Elk and moose and other animal populations are seeing a steady decline. We need these facts brought out so that everybody realized and recognizes what’s going on. We are not trying to extinguish the wolves we just want the truth in the wildlife populations to be brought out.”
Next for the group, they are taking their fight all the way to Congress. If you would like to join in the fight, make a donation, or just learn more you can visit wysfw.org or wyoga.org.
