Wildlife Weekly Wrap-Up

New poll finds strong support for protecting Gunnison sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act

On Wednesday, Defenders released a new poll at the Fourth Gunnison Sage-Grouse Summit in Gunnison, Colorado, which showed that a majority of voters (66 percent) from across the political spectrum who live in the heart of Gunnison sage-grouse range support protecting the iconic bird as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) until they are fully recovered. The poll also found that two-thirds (67 percent) of voters in Montrose, Saguache, San Miguel and Gunnison counties believe listing Gunnison sage-grouse encouraged local efforts to conserve the bird. Contrary to claims made by a vociferous few when the sage-grouse was listed in late 2014, these findings show that locals in Gunnison Country want to protect native wildlife, and even list species under the ESA to ensure their survival, a sentiment also echoed in recent state and nationwide polls.

Which of these photos are your favorites?
In January, we opened our annual Defenders of Wildlife Photo Contest – and once again we were amazed by the response! Wildlife shutterbugs submitted nearly 2,000 amazing photos in two categories: Wildlife and Wild Lands. Each year, we have been astounded by the beauty, majesty and creativity of the photos – and this year is no exception. It was difficult, but we have narrowed these photos down to 10 spectacular finalists. Now we need your help to pick the winners! The grand prize is a $1,000 gift certificate to B&H Photo Video, and top winners will be featured in the summer edition of Defenders quarterly publication! Voting ends at 11:59 PM EDT Sunday, March 13th, so make sure you pick your favorites today!

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes to delist Yellowstone Grizzly
Our experts are closely reviewing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposal announced last week to delist the population of grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem under the Endangered Species Act. Protection under the Endangered Species Act brought this population of grizzly bears back from fewer than 200 in 1975 to more than 700 bears today. It is truly one of our nation’s greatest conservation success stories. However, we want to ensure that that success continues. To safely delist grizzlies, the Service’s proposal would need to adequately address the long-standing and continuing threats these bears face. If delisted, Yellowstone grizzlies’ continued recovery will depend on a cautious and conservation-minded management commitment from the states, protected habitat, increased social tolerance for sharing the landscape with this iconic species, and a commitment from states and federal agencies to continue to work towards allowing this population to expand and connect with others beyond the Yellowstone ecosystem. We’ll keep you updated here as we review this proposal, but in the meantime are escalating our work to reduce conflicts between grizzlies and humans. No matter what Yellowstone grizzlies’ legal status may be, taking these steps to keep both bears and people safe will be key to this species’ survival.

“As grizzlies come back to areas they have not inhabited for over 100 years, there needs to be an expanded investment in on-the-ground coexistence measures that minimize conflicts between people and grizzlies. It will take a coordinated and dedicated effort by state and federal agencies, conservation organizations and those living, working and recreating in bear country to ensure a long-term future for these bears.”

– Defenders’ former President and CEO, Jamie Rappaport Clark

Supreme Court Allows Chesapeake Bay “Pollution Diet” to Stand
The Supreme Court voted not to take up for review the American Farm Bureau’s challenge to the legality of a Clean Water Act plan to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed through the Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Blueprint. The Blueprint consists of EPA-enforceable science-based guidelines developed in cooperation with the six Bay states and the District of Columbia to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution and bring the Bay watershed back to health. The six Bay states and DC support the Blueprint and have released their own plans to meet those limits by 2025. The Supreme Court decision lets stand the Third Circuit decision that upheld the Clean Water Blueprint against challenges from big agricultural lobbying groups, other special interests, and non-Bay states.

Idaho officials request more money to kill wolves
This week, Idaho politicians approved a request for $400,000 to kill wolves in Idaho next year. This funding would renew the controversial wolf control board for a third consecutive year. Implemented by Governor Otter in 2014, the wolf control board requested $400,000 per year for five years to drive Idaho’s wolf population down as low as possible. Throwing money at lethal control programs without even considering effective non-lethal options for keeping wolves away from livestock makes absolutely no sense! And many such programs do exist. Working with ranchers, Defenders has pioneered many practical solutions to help livestock and wolves coexist, and helped create partnerships to deliver those solutions – for example the Wood River Wolf Project in central Idaho –uses proven, effective nonlethal deterrents like fladry, range riders, electric fencing and guard dogs to help protect livestock and build social acceptance for wolves. Help us continue to fight for wolves.