For The Love Of Wolves

$Montana just sentenced 458 wolves to death. In a move that ignores science, disregards public input, and caters to entrenched political interests, the Commission approved the highest statewide wolf-killing quota since wolves were stripped of federal Endangered Species Act protections in 2011. Individuals are now allowed to kill up to 30 wolves each—15 through hunting, 15 through trapping. This staggering number puts an already fragile population at severe risk. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ own data warns that quotas this high could drop wolf populations below sustainable levels within a year. Yet commissioners brushed aside their agency’s science, while also limiting public participation in the decision-making process. The public spoke—overwhelmingly opposed—but the Commission made clear where its loyalties lie: with politics and special interests, not science or democracy. Officials claim wolves must be reduced to “protect livestock” and “restore balance.” But the facts tell another story: in 2024, wolves killed just 45 cattle in a state with over 2 million cows. That’s fractions of a fraction of a percent. Meanwhile, ranchers receive generous taxpayer-funded compensation for their losses, often without adopting proven non-lethal coexistence tools like range riders or fladry. This isn’t management. It’s extermination by another name. Wolves are worth more alive. Montana’s own economy proves it. Yellowstone-area wolves drive a half-billion-dollar wildlife tourism industry. People travel from around the world to see wolves in the wild, filling hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. A wolf alive is worth exponentially more than a wolf dead. This decision makes one thing crystal clear: Montana will not protect wolves unless forced to. The fight for federal Endangered Species Act protections is now more urgent than ever. Montana has chosen politics over science and death over coexistence. We need people everywhere to step up and demand change. Ranchers and a negative media narrative are controlling the fate of wolves. It’s time for all of us to take action and defend science, democracy, and wildness before it’s too late. Via: @wildlifeforall.us$ 08/30/2025

This is very very bad and devastating I can't believe it

Montana just sentenced 458 wolves to death. In a move that ignores science, disregards public input, and caters to entrenched political interests, the Commission approved the highest statewide wolf-killing quota since wolves were stripped of federal Endangered Species Act protections in 2011. Individuals are now allowed to kill up to 30 wolves each—15 through hunting, 15 through trapping. This staggering number puts an already fragile population at severe risk. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ own data warns that quotas this high could drop wolf populations below sustainable levels within a year. Yet commissioners brushed aside their agency’s science, while also limiting public participation in the decision-making process. The public spoke—overwhelmingly opposed—but the Commission made clear where its loyalties lie: with politics and special interests, not science or democracy. Officials claim wolves must be reduced to “protect livestock” and “restore balance.” But the facts tell another story: in 2024, wolves killed just 45 cattle in a state with over 2 million cows. That’s fractions of a fraction of a percent. Meanwhile, ranchers receive generous taxpayer-funded compensation for their losses, often without adopting proven non-lethal coexistence tools like range riders or fladry. This isn’t management. It’s extermination by another name. Wolves are worth more alive. Montana’s own economy proves it. Yellowstone-area wolves drive a half-billion-dollar wildlife tourism industry. People travel from around the world to see wolves in the wild, filling hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. A wolf alive is worth exponentially more than a wolf dead. This decision makes one thing crystal clear: Montana will not protect wolves unless forced to. The fight for federal Endangered Species Act protections is now more urgent than ever. Montana has chosen politics over science and death over coexistence. We need people everywhere to step up and demand change. Ranchers and a negative media narrative are controlling the fate of wolves. It’s time for all of us to take action and defend science, democracy, and wildness before it’s too late. Via: @wildlifeforall.us