Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Last week, the Bush Cheney Administration changed the rules, taking another step toward the slaughter of hundreds of wolves in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Rockies region -- even while these animals remain protected under the Endangered Species Act. But thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we were prepared for the announcement: On Monday, Defenders and our conservation partners immediately filed suit to stop these rule changes.We’re in for a long, hard legal battle to save Greater Yellowstone wolves.

Please support our Yellowstone Wolf Legal Defense Fund by becoming a Wildlife Guardian with a monthly donation of $5, $8, $18, $38 or another amount.

Last week’s change to the so-called “10j” rule will have devastating consequences. Up to 900 wolves -- over half of the region’s wolf population -- could be killed, even though they remain protected by the Endangered Species Act. The killing could begin as early as March. With your monthly support, we can keep fighting in the courts and on the ground to protect these magnificent animals.

As a Wildlife Guardian, your ongoing monthly donation -- just pennies per day -- will provide crucial and reliable support for our battles in the months ahead.Unfortunately, last week’s rule change is only the beginning: In just a few weeks, the Bush/Cheney Administration is expected to announce the removal of Greater Yellowstone wolves from the federal list of endangered species -- opening the door to the killing of as many as two-thirds of the wolves in Wyoming and all but around 100 wolves in Idaho.

Your monthly tax-deductible contribution of $5, $8, $18, $38 or another amount, will enable Defenders to respond to the delisting with swift legal action to save our wolves -- and you’ll also be a vital partner in our long fight for wolves in the months ahead.Defenders’ seasoned legal team has a proven track record of success when it comes to defending our wolves. When the American Farm Bureau -- a powerful industry lobby group -- wanted to kill all the Yellowstone wolves, we took them on and won. We stopped then-Interior Secretary Gale Norton from lifting critical wolf protections in 2005. And last year in Alaska, we halted a bloody wolf bounty program. With your help, we can win for wolves again.

Please become a Wildlife Guardian today and become a partner in our ongoing efforts to save wolves.

With your help, we can win for our wolves.

Sincerely,

Rodger Schlickeisen, President
Defenders of Wildlife

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