Largest Decline Since Delisting

April saw the release of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Wolf Management Report for 2018. The numbers within are staggering. In 2018, 177 wolves died -- 90 percent from human causes. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants to drive the number of wolves in Wyoming down to the bare minimum of 150 individuals and 10 breeding pairs, including Yellowstone NP. The current estimate of wolves in the state at the end of 2018 was 287. Further troubling is that the population of wolves within Yellowstone National Park is down to about 80 individuals. The state does not care what happens to wolves outside the Trophy Game Management Area as wolves are listed as predators in more than 85% of the state. Here, wolves can be killed at any time for no reason using any means (poison, dynamite, drowning, spotlighting, etc.). These magnificent, beautiful creatures that are loved by the vast majority of Americans are being born only to be gunned down. Packs have been greatly disrupted and nine packs are no longer in existence.

Yellowstone wolf biologist Doug Smith is involved in a current study to see what the effect of hunting has on breeding and reproduction. Preliminary results show that "pack size is critical," says Smith. "Now, you know, wolves are just like people. The wrong personality goes, everything goes downhill. So that doesn’t mean a big pack can lose just anybody, but odds are they can sustain a loss better than a small pack,” says Smith. "Season’s important. If you lose an animal right before the breeding season, it destabilizes their social structure. They probably won’t have pups.” Half of the wolf packs in Wyoming are five members or smaller. The current management plan in Wyoming does not take any of this into account. Wolves are not prey animals. They cannot be managed in the same way. The science supports predator populations sustaining their own numbers without the necessity of hunting. It's one of the reasons the alpha pair are the only breeders in a wolf pack.

We will be providing opportunities for you to comment on the management plan and proposed regulations for the 2019 hunting season. Save the date of June 6 at 6:00pm for the public meeting held by the WGFD to discuss next year's hunting regulations for wolves at the Teton County Library. Please consider attending to speak for our wolves. Other dates and the option for online comments can be found here. Wyoming's wolves reside mostly on public land -- your land. If you disagree with the way they are being "managed," please voice your concerns. We will continue to fight for the proper management of all of our wildlife, including bears, wolves, elk and other predators. We are the voice of wildlife in Wyoming. Thank you for being along on this fight.

Kristin Combs

Executive Director

PEARL STREET DAY A SUCCESS!

Thanks to everyone who came out on April 16 to support us. It was a super successful day! Special appreciation to Pearl Street Bagels for their support of both wildlife and our community.

NEW BILLBOARDS WILL FOCUS ON THE WAR ON WOLVES IN WYOMING

Our previously posted billboards (pictured here) have been very effective at educating visitors and residents about the misguided wildlife management in Wyoming and garnering public support for change. Millions of people visit the national parks each year to see bears and wolves; it's what makes this region special. Our new billboard will be focused on wolves as part of our Spitfire Fund to honor the late wolf who was killed by a trophy hunter just outside the border of Yellowstone National Park. Any amount you can contribute will go directly to helping stop the needless slaughter of our wolves.

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