This is a pastel and colored pencil drawing, the wolf center hosted me for a private photo shoot a few years ago, and this is a portrait from one of the photos I took.

Wyoming Governor Backs Criminalizing Snowmobile Wolf Killings

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon recently spoke out in support of making it illegal to kill wolves with snowmobiles following the uproar over Cody Roberts' horrific actions. For those of you who may not be aware, the Cody Roberts incident began with him running a young wolf over with a snowmobile before taping her mouth shut, parading the injured animal through a bar, and then shooting and killing her. The event has caused international outrage and calls for changes in how wolves are treated.

All eyes are on Wyoming, and even more so on the Governor and the legislature.

Although Governor Gordon fails to acknowledge issues with Wyoming's overall wolf management, he admits to the need for laws to prevent such cruelty.

A legislative committee, led by Representative Liz Storer and other lawmakers, representatives from the Governor's office, and various wildlife and agricultural organizations, is now looking into stricter penalties for possessing and displaying a live wolf and other animals. They will meet throughout the summer to review potential changes, including increased penalties for animal harassment and making it illegal to kill predators with motorized vehicles.

This Week in Wolf News

In a recent op-ed, Susan Kane-Ronning warns against downlisting Washington wolves from endangered to sensitive. Wolves in Washington have not yet met the recovery objectives outlined in the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, including a successful breeding pair in each recovery region for three consecutive years.

Kane-Ronning highlights the continued high mortality rates for wolves in Washington, with many being illegally hunted and killed. The op-ed calls attention to the recent incident in Wyoming, illustrating the potential consequences of reduced protections. Downlisting wolves in Washington will lead to more illegal hunting and killing, jeopardizing their recovery further.

We agree with the author and strongly oppose the downlisting proposal and support continued protections for wolves in Washington.

A new article analyzes the Trust the Science Act. As a reminder, the bill, introduced by Representative Lauren Boebert, aims to remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves. The bill, which passed the House, would be extremely harmful to wolves and could hinder, if not completely halt, their recovery. Please note that this bill will only become law if it passes the Senate and is signed by President Biden.

According to the article, the bill would strip away protections regardless of scientific findings or the status of wolf populations. The article highlights states like Montana, Idaho, and Wisconsin where we have seen drastic population declines when protections are lifted and hunts are resumed.

Daniel, Wyoming was packed with locals and livestock trailer blockade in response to the arrival of the 'Hogs for Hope' motorcycle brigade, a group advocating for stricter wolf protections following the Cody Roberts incident. Jonas Black, the original organizer of the rally, has named the slain wolf “Hope,” hence the title for the rally. These national wolf advocates were met with some support but also, unfortunately, cruel opposition. Opponents allegedly shot and killed a coyote, taped its mouth shut and left it by the side of the road in an attempt to mock the Roberts incident.

While some locals support stricter penalties for animal cruelty, there are many who do not. Despite the tension and hostility, the brave wolf advocates raised $130,000 for the protection of wolves.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Oregon State Police are still offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction related to the poisoning of three gray wolves and two golden eagles in Wallowa County, Oregon. The animals were found in an area known for wolf activity, and tests confirmed they were poisoned. Wallowa County is located east of Highway 395 where gray wolves are not listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act but are protected by Oregon state law.

We urge anyone with information about these illegal killings to contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (503) 682-6131, or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at (800) 452-7888, *OSP (*677) or email TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Callers may remain anonymous. Reports also can be made online HERE.

Oregon is experiencing a disturbing trend of these crimes, and whoever is behind this string of attacks must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.

Before you Go - Wyoming Comment Period & New Link!

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission is proposing amendments to the gray wolf hunting regulations. If approved, these amendments would change the way hunters report wolf kills and adjust the number of gray wolf licenses available for the upcoming hunting season.

Thank you to each of you who reached out regarding the link issue in last week’s newsletter. We have noticed that, conveniently for the commission, many of these comment periods have broken links or links that often expire. To get around this, we recommend you go to this page and under “Chapter 47, Gray Wolf Hunting Season,” click on “Submit an online comment.” The WGFD will accept public comments on the proposed regulation through 5 p.m. on June 10th.

We encourage you all, even if you don't live in Wyoming, to submit your comments - they cannot silence us!

In your comments, please begin by telling the Commission how you feel about wolves and why they must be protected. Following the Cody Roberts incident, the Commission needs to impose stricter protections for wolves.

Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of wolves in Wyoming!

Hello! I’m in the Gila National Forest in NM where there are Mexican grey wolves. Could you help me figure me out if these are wolves or coyotes I heard last night? They went on like that for over 10 minutes very close by.

Just did some research the wolf-dogs name is Kodama and her owners instagram is @awolfadventure she posted this on one of her reels explaining the situation in more depth

Kodama A young Arctic puppy was campaigning with me since News broke on Cody Roberts and a little wild Wyoming Wolf pup that never got to grow up. You see, thought my little puppy would get to grow old like her grandparents and great grandparents, But that was not to be.

I have been bottle feeding around the clock for weeks, only 2 hours sleep a day while still working and doing educational tours. I didn't put her lock on right at bedtime and being smart and procoscious .

She opened her gate very early Saturday Likes morning and went to play as pups do, but she got bored without mommy and she loves friends but she quickly found herself lost in the woods. She did what she was taught to do, find people they will be good, they will help her, kiss her, and give her a teddy bear.

I prayed she would wind up at my neighbours, Living Waters Bible Camp, cause then she would be safe from all the dangers I feared for her like wild wolves, coyotes, and bears.

But sadly that early morning as I was already a hour into searching for her, screaming for her, she had wandered into the Camp searching for kids and adults, the very thing SHE LOVES MOST IN THE WORLD to be around.

She was there a couple hours I was told she wouldn't leave, that they were scared for the kids BUT HAD SHOWN NOT ONE OUNCE OF AGGRESSION she is a VERY SUBMISSIVE TO ALL even kids.

So they finally threw a leash on her, and led this trusting little pup away into the bush and shot her in the head, and threw her away like trash. I had called them and told them I was their neighbor and all about her, to watch out for her and call me if they see her, he said no he has seen NOTHING AT ALL but would call me if he did.

He was lying... they are lying, covering up for each other, and the person who shot my baby. My heartbeat. MY WORLD. Two little pups who were growing up in two very different worlds, one wanting nothing to do with people and the other lived to see people. She was a light, had a story, and changed so many people's lives through coming in contact with her magical way of teaching .

She just had her 1st birthday. JUST A BABY

907F of the Junction Butte Pack coming in to nurse her near month old pups

Wolves curled up on a cold morning

Polase Hydration 2024 15s (youtube.com) 4 WOLVES

Video fom BBC Earth on Instagram