A coalition of conservationists, represented by the non-profit environmental law firm Earthjustice, filed a lawsuit on January 6, 2014 to save wolves from a gun-for-hire in one of our nation’s premiere wilderness areas.  The case challenges U.S. Forest Service’s approval of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s (IDFG) plan to exterminate two wolf packs in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness on the grounds that it violates several laws, management plans, and policies which are meant to protect wilderness characteristics, wildlife, and natural processes within wilderness.

“IDFG instructed its hunter-trapper agent to exterminate every individual wolf in these packs and agreed to pay him for doing so,” the complaint states. The purpose? To “inflate the local elk populations for the benefit of commercial outfitters and recreational hunters.”

News of IDFG’s plan has spread through the country and conservation groups aren’t the only ones taking action.  In a letter, nine-year-old Bella from Larchmont, NY appealed to IDFG to halt their dreadful plan. Sadly, yesterday we learned that at least seven wolves had been killed by the professional trapper already.  Perhaps the lawsuit and compelling appeals from supporters like Bella will offer the remaining wolves a reprieve.  At the very least we can count on a brighter future when children like Bella are grown.

Please consider signing the Endangered Species Coalition’s petition asking the U.S. Forest Service to stop Idaho from killing these wolves.