Wolves' Return in Peril‏

Wolves' Return at Risk
Just last month, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the Bush-era wolf delisting rule would go ahead. Starting May 4th, more than 1,000 wolves in the region -- 2/3 of the current population -- could be killed. On the day the rule was published, Defenders immediately notified federal officials that we will fight for our wolves in court.But this is only the latest chapter in a complex and ongoing story of the relationship between wolves and people in the west. Return to the Wild, a new documentary from Mofilms, features Defenders’ Northern Rockies Representative Suzanne Stone and highlights our on-the-ground efforts to help ranchers and wolves peacefully coexist in the American West. You can watch the 27-minute film in its entirety or see the trailer at the film’s website. If you haven’t already done so, please write President Obama and urge him to stand up for our western wolves.
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Action of the Month
This Action is for the Birds! It probably wouldn’t surprise you to find out that there are more than 100,000 communications towers in the United States. But you may be shocked to learn that it’s estimated that as many as 50 million birds from at least 230 different species including many birds that are steadily declining like blackpoll warblers, gray-cheeked thrushes, and yellow-billed cuckoos -- are killed each year after colliding with these towers. That’s more than one third of all bird species that are found in our country. The good news is there’s something that can be done to reduce this threat. Defenders and our allies will be filing a petition next week to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop new procedures to protect our migratory birds. Take action to urge the FCC to stop dragging its feet and take action to implement rules that will address this significant problem and protect our migratory birds.
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Defenders Updates
Judgment for Jaguars A federal court in Arizona has ruled that U.S. jaguars deserve the full protection of the Endangered Species Act. The Bush Administration refused to come up with a recovery plan for the struggling cats, prompting Defenders to take court action. Defenders’ attorney Brian Segee stated, “We are thrilled with the court's decision and hope the Fish and Wildlife Service will now move quickly to provide the jaguar with the full Endangered Species Act protections.” >>Learn More Victory for Polar Bears! Thousands of Defenders activists generated more than 75,000 messages to both houses of Congress seeking to overturn the Bush Administration’s last-minute gutting of the Endangered Species Act. Last month, Congress passed legislation to allow the Obama Administration to reverse these harmful rules that undermine protections for polar bears and imperiled wildlife. >> Learn More Poachers Hit Washington's Wolves A young wolf was killed by poachers in Washington state. The wolf was a member of the Lookout Pack -- the first wolf pack since the 1930s to take up residence in the Evergreen State. The poachers face a federal fine of up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail plus state penalties. >> Learn More from the Seattle Post Intelligencer People and Predators Wolves, bears and other carnivores play a unique role in a healthy ecosystem. But when humans and predators live near each other, conflicts can arise. The book People and Predators: From Conflict to Coexistence, edited by Defenders’ Vice President for Field Conservation Nina Fascione and Senior Associate for Conservation Science Aimee Delach focuses on the impacts of a growing human population on predators and habitats. >> Learn More from Island Press
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Defenders Online

Give Us Your Best Shot Got an amazing wildlife photo? Share it with the Defenders of Wildlife Flickr community! Log on to Flickr, join our group and start sharing your best wildlife photos with fellow Defenders around the world. Just tag your photos with defendersenews and add them to the Group pool. Not a Flickr user? It's free and easy to join. Learn more...