Idaho contains one of the largest contiguous national forests left in our nation but is waging a hidden war on wolves, under the false claim that ranchers and others cannot coexist with them. In 2022, fewer than 100 cattle out of 2 million, many ranging across public lands and national forests, were confirmed killed by wolves. That’s less than 0.005 percent of cattle statewide. Nonlethal methods to build coexistence between wolves and ranching operations are far more effective at protecting livestock and ensuring the wolf's valuable role in the wild. Idaho's persecution of wolves includes year-round killing, killing newborn pups and their mothers in dens, aerial gunning of whole packs, and countless injuries, dying in unchecked traps, and more. Other animals caught up in the bloodlust to kill wolves also fall victim to the tens of thousands of traps and snares now allowed on our public lands. Even our dogs are not safe to use our public land trails without risk of injury or death. Enough is enough. Wolves need protection from the State of Idaho before 1,000 more are brutally and needlessly killed.  

Why Idaho is important to wolves: Most people know that Yellowstone National Park is important to wolves, but few understand how important Idaho is to this much maligned species. At its peak, Yellowstone National Park contained 180 wolves while Idaho’s wolf population was close to 2,000. Idaho’s wolf population was the source for wolves returning to Oregon, Washington, and California. Wolves are also important to the indigenous people in the region including the Nez Perce tribe who helped restore the Idaho wolf population after livestock and government interests eradicated all the wolves over a century ago.

Your donation will help us fight for the return of federal protection for wolves and promote coexistence over persecution.