Twenty-five years ago this week, gray wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. The reintroduction not only improved the wolf’s situation, but also the entire Yellowstone ecosystem. Yellowstone’s ecology had suffered without this apex predator to help maintain natural ecological dynamics, a pattern we’re seeing throughout the wolf’s historical range.
In the 25 years since the Yellowstone and central Idaho reintroduction, Defenders of Wildlife has remained committed to restoring wolves to additional suitable places throughout their historical range and to promoting coexistence in these places, with past and present campaigns in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado and more.
Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:
“Defenders of Wildlife played a critical role in the reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho in 1995. The changes in Yellowstone National Park after wolves returned have been both significant and exciting. This is not only a celebration of wolves and the success of the Endangered Species Act, it is a victory for humans and our planet.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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