Environmental Threats

A Milestone for Wildlife Protection: BLM Halts Use of Deadly M-44 ‘Cyanide Bombs’

The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is thrilled to share a significant victory in the fight for wildlife protection. Following years of relentless advocacy, education, and the united efforts of conservation organizations and concerned individuals, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a halt in the use of M-44 devices, infamously known as ‘cyanide bombs’, on the lands they manage. The Threat of M-44s M-44s have long posed a grave threat to wildlife, pets, and…

Over 150,000 Voices Urge Biden Administration to Completely Reinstate the ESA

The rallying cry for the protection of endangered species has never been louder. Over 150,000 concerned citizens, from every corner of the nation, have implored the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to rejuvenate the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in its entirety. Their passionate plea comes in the wake of new regulatory proposals issued this past June, addressing prior controversial regulations established under the Trump administration in 2019.…

Trump Compares Political Opponents To “Pack of Rabid Wolves”

Earlier today, Donald Trump released a political ad on Truth Social which was filled with interspersed images of a snarling wolf, and in which he compared his political opponents to the outdated folklorist view of villainous wolves saying, “Like a pack of rabid wolves, they’ll attack.” The ad itself plays into a social misunderstanding of wolves that we’ve poked holes in countless times at this point. As we delve deeper into this topic, let’s momentarily…

Defending the ESA: Why Wolves And Other Wildlife Need It

Here at the Wolf Conservation Center, our mission extends beyond the care of our on-site wolves: it’s rooted in a profound respect for the balance of ecosystems and the preservation of endangered species across the nation. Our commitment to these principles is unwavering, but we recognize that there are complex debates around how best to achieve these conservation goals. Recently, these debates have taken center stage in a series of remarks made by members of…

White House Endorses ‘Science Based’ ESA Protections

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been a pivotal piece of legislation in the United States for wildlife conservation since its enactment in 1973. With today’s statement from the White House supporting the ESA and opposing S.J. Res. 9, it is evident that the administration recognizes the importance of science-based decision-making and is committed to protecting the environment and wildlife, despite recent attacks from lawmakers like Lauren Boebert, who would see ESA protections rolled back.…

Important Updates On Lauren Boebert’s So-Called “Trust The Science” Act

A couple of weeks ago, we discussed the potential ramifications of the Trust the Science Act (H.R. 764) on gray wolves and other endangered species in the United States. This bill, introduced by controversial Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, aims to reinstate the USFWS final rule delisting the gray wolf nationally, not subject to judicial review. The delisting of gray wolves could lead to state-managed hunting and trapping, which might negatively impact their population and recovery efforts,…

Lauren Boebert’s War on the ESA: Ignoring the Science

Rep. Lauren Boebert’s House Bill 7766, the ironically named “Trust the Science Act”, which seeks to undermine the Endangered Species Act by allowing states to opt out of federal protection for wolves, grizzly bears, and other iconic species, has drawn criticism from wildlife experts and conservationists across the United States. Boebert has argued that state-led management of wildlife populations is the best approach, but her bill could have disastrous consequences for endangered species, particularly wolves.…

Idaho Gray Wolves Need Your Help!

You Can Speak Up For Idaho Wolves! The 2023-2028 Wolf Management Plan is available for public view from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. This plan will guide the futures of many wolves in Idaho over the next 5 years and set precedents for plans well beyond that. You can submit your official comments below, but we thought we’d give you a guide with proposed talking points that we think are the most important to address.…

Celebrating 50 Years Of The Endangered Species Act

For Immediate Release, February 2, 2023 Contact: Stephanie Kurose, Center for Biological Diversity, (202) 849-8401 x 103, skurose@biologicaldiversity.org Derek Goldman, Endangered Species Coalition, (406) 370-6491, dgoldman@endangered.org Perry Wheeler, Earthjustice, (202) 792-6211, pwheeler@earthjustice.org Regan Downey, Wolf Conservation Center, (914) 763-2373 x 110, regan@nywolf.org Landmark Law Continues To Save Wildlife From Extinction WASHINGTON— Conservation and wildlife advocacy groups are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Endangered Species Act this year, commemorating five decades of…

Can We Really Believe Wisconsin Has An Accurate Wolf Count?

Several researchers recently took an extended look at Wisconsin’s 2022 ‘scaled occupancy model’ for estimating wolf counts in the state and concluded that the Wisconsin method systematically overestimates wolf abundance by large margins. This is due to several factors, and perhaps the most concerning part of all is that these over-estimations likely extend to other states using similar counting methods. New Counting Methods Despite there already being several proven methods developed by Wolf scientists over…