Thursday, February 13, 2014

Protect Wolves from Flawed Studies

Target:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

 Protect Wolves from Flawed Studies

Goal: Do not remove federal protections for wolves based on flawed study

A scientific peer review has unanimously determined that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service used flawed science as its basis for removing federal protections for wolves. According to the scientific panel, the U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service is guilty of cherry picking data that helps support the decision to delist wolves, whilst ignoring data that suggests wolves need continued protections. These findings come after the initial review panel selected by USFWS was discredited due to compromised scientific integrity and political manipulation. We must tell the USFWS that we will not be fooled by false science and political scheming. We must demand that wolves continue to receive federal protections.

During the last century wolves were completely eradicated from the lower 48 states. The U.S. government offered a bounty for those willing to shoot, trap, or poison wolves. Since wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone Park, the species has begun to recover. Unfortunately the same interests responsible for eradicating wolves in the past are at work again to try and stamp out this iconic and ecologically important species.

In deciding to delist wolves, the USFWS is bowing to political pressure from powerful agricultural and hunting interests. The recent findings of the scientific peer review panel make it clear that the USFWS has been willing to ignore or fabricate scientific evidence in order to push forward with the delisting of wolves.

Due to the panel’s findings the U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service has extended the public comment period for 45 days. It is important that we tell them to follow the science and continue to protect wolves. The USFWS is receiving pressure from hunters and the agricultural to delist wolves before the species is recovered. It is important that the USFWS receive feedback from those of us interested in preserving wolves. Please sign this petition to demand that the USFWS does not remove protections for wolves.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

It has become evident that your agency has been using flawed scientific data in order to support the politically motivated decision to remove federal protections for wolves. I am writing to express my concern over your decision to delist wolves. It is important that the USFWS base this decision on sound scientific data rather than trying to satisfy the wishes of powerful agriculture and hunting interests.

Wolves are an iconic and ecologically important species that most U.S. citizens want preserved. These wolves need continued protections in order to ensure a full and lasting recovery. Please heed the advice the scientific community and maintain federal protections for wolves.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Retron via Wikimedia Commons

Click this link to sign your name to this urgently needed petition! 

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