Photo by John E. Marriott / WildernessPrints.com
There are no appropriate words to describe the anger and outrage felt after reading the allegations of a Wyoming man torturing a wolf and posing for photos with the suffering animal at a bar, prior to killing them either by beating or shooting. He was later fined $250 for possessing live wildlife. The latest news reports indicate the Sublette County Sherrif’s and Attorney’s Offices are investigating the man and incident.
The Fur-Bearers, and everyone on our team, was deeply disturbed to read this news. We are encouraging all American residents to follow the lead of the many outstanding NGOs advocating for change (such as HSUS or the International Wolf Center). Canadians wishing to take action can contact the Wyoming Office of Tourism to call for change to the policies, laws, and lack of protection for wolves in the state.
Not unique to Wyoming
A lack of protections for wolves – sentient, family-oriented animals who provide essential apex predator ecosystem services – is not unique to Wyoming. It is legal to hunt and/or trap wolves in much of Canada, and some specific areas have no bag limits – meaning a trapper or hunter could literally wipe out an entire pack and be legally protected.
The aerial tracking and killing of wolves in an ill-advised plan to protect endangered caribou herds is ongoing in British Columbia, despite clear evidence resource extraction and exploitation is the true driving force behind the caribou declines.
The Fur-Bearers confirmed through research that government contractors were collaring, tracking, and killing juvenile wolf pups. In one incident, a wolf pup was collared, her entire pack of seven wolves were tracked and killed, leaving her orphaned. Six weeks later she was located travelling with another wolf pup, the contractors shot them both. Click here to read more about this story and read the contractor’s tracking reports.
Poisoning still legal
We recently celebrated the end of strychnine as an available predacide in Canada, but Compound 1080 remains legal and in use. Sodium monofloroacetate (the chemical name of Compound 1080) causes extreme suffering and a slow death to any animal that digests it – including wolves. To make matters worse, any animal that consumes Compound 1080 and moves away from the bait site may die without being found, and becomes another poisonous bait in the environment.
Survey shows Canadians support wolf protections
A survey commissioned by The Fur-Bearers in 2023 and administered by Research Co. showed 70% of survey respondents have positive attitudes toward wolves, and 68% of respondents said that killing wolves to protect another species was wrong. Additionally, 83% of Canadians agreed that wolves are important members of Canadan ecosystems and should be protected.
Hear an interview with the amazing researchers who assisted with this project below!
Make a difference
While Canadians clearly want wolves protected and understand they play vital roles in our ecosystems, government policy does not yet reflect this in most jurisdictions. Fortunately, there are opportunities for you to make a difference for wolves in Canada:
1 Share the truth! Wolves are beautiful, sentient animals with rich emotional lives. Share your favourite books, documentaries, and stories about wolves on social media, with friends and family, and help share the truth about who wolves are to encourage more public engagement on their protection.
2 Talk to your elected officials. Whether it’s your provincial or federal representative, wolves and their habitat can be protected by governments. Let your official know that protecting wildlife, particularly wolves, is a priority for you, and will influence how you vote.
3 Support our campaigns. The Fur-Bearers is a registered Canadian charity that works to protect wolves by protecting their habitat and lives through policy change, education, and research that forces governments to acknowledge how they’re treating animals. Click here to sign up for our eNewsletter, or click here to donate today (you’ll receive a Canadian charitable tax receipt).
4 Share our content. Our BC Wolf Cull page is kept up-to-date with information about the state of the wolf cull in British Columbia, but our blogs and social media channels regularly feature content about wolves. This can include fun facts, action alerts, emotionally poignant videos, and more. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram!
Wolves face a lot of challenges as we tackle climate resilience, rewilding, and conservation issues – but we know that with your support, there’s a bright future ahead for all canids who call Canada home.
