Wolves are extremely important for a healthy, well-balanced ecosystem and for ensuring proper biodiversity. But even though wolves used to freely roam most of North America, they’ve been hunted and demonized into near-extinction. Now, some dedicated wildlife officials are working hard to fix this problem.
After three years of meticulous planning and research, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency just released its first five gray wolves in the state’s central mountains. It plans to eventually release 50 wolves in total in the next few years.
This is a huge win for conservation, and more states should replicate this! Sign the petition to urge officials in nearby Montana to also reintroduce wolves to their natural habitats there!
This successful reintroduction actually came about because voters demanded it! In 2020, a ballot measure asked state voters whether or not Colorado should put effort into bringing wolves back – and Coloradoans said “yes.” This is the first time in the U.S. that voters themselves have required an agency to reintroduce an endangered species to the wild.
While the federal government created programs in the 1990s that released wolves back onto federally-owned land in Idaho and Wyoming, no state has done anything similar. Until now.
That’s why we’re asking more states to follow suit! Wolves used to roam nearly the entire continent. This is their home and they belong here. They help keep balance in the ecological system. But right now, they’re still listed as a federally protected species under the Endangered Species Act because there are so very few of them left. While it’s great that they’re being protected, they shouldn’t be endangered to begin with.
The next state that should do the right thing is Montana, due to its close proximity to Colorado, Idaho, and Wyoming.
Sign the petition to urge Montana wildlife officials to create a wolf reintroduction program in the state, so we can save these amazing apex predators from extinction!
This article by Mathew Davis was first published by One Green Planet on 31 December 2023. Image Credit :Piotr Krzeslak/Shutterstock.
What you can do
Help to save wildlife by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute.
Leave a Reply