During westward expansion
from the mid-19th century until the early 20th century, wolves were
hunted to the brink of extinction in the lower contiguous 48 states of
the USA, having already been eradicated in Europe decades earlier. In
late 1993 the Endangered Species Act (ESA) saved the wolf from oblivion.
In 1995 Canadian wolves were reintroduced to key habitats, including the
Greater Yellowstone region and the Northern Rockies, bringing
uncontrolled nature once again into balance, and allowing for the return
of grasses, plants, flowers, insects, birds, beaver, fish, fox,
pronghorn, and other species.
In 2008 the wolf is again under attack. The removal of the wolf from the
Endangered Species List (ESL) will permit massive slaughter by aerial
shooting, and baiting and trapping in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. In
Alaska, wolves face similar predation. Defenders of Wildlife have
initiated legislation for the Protection of American Wildlife (PAW) Act
to stop such atrocities. It is only through the restoration of balance
in nature that all species will receive equal opportunity to survive. |
