Tell FWS Director Dan Ashe to Respect Science and Protect Wolverines

[Omaha Steve]

https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/tell-fws-director-dan-ashe-to-respect-science-and-protect-wolverines?cmpid=action-eml-2014-10-02-wolverine




(Photo:Joel Sartore/Getty Images)

The Endangered Species Coalition is a national network of hundreds of conservation, scientific, education, religious, sporting, outdoor recreation, business and community organizations working to protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining wild places.
about the petition
A leaked document obtained by ESC member group the Center for Biological Diversity shows that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service scientists have been ordered to reverse their previous conclusions that wolverines should be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

This is political interference in protecting imperiled species at its worst. Wolverines number less than 300 in the lower 48 states and are increasingly threatened by warming habitat. Just last year, FWS scientists concluded that protections were needed—even the regional director who issued the order supported these needed safeguards.

Now the FWS has caved to pressure from special interests in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and reversed its recommendation for vital protections.

Tell FWS Director Dan Ashe to keep politics out of listing decisions and protect American wolverines under the Endangered Species Act.
To: USFWS Director Dan Ashe

I have great concerns about the expressed direction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to its scientists to put aside scientific merits and withdraw their recommendation to protect American wolverines under the Endangered Species Act.

Wolverines number fewer than 300 in the lower 48 states, with an effective population of just 35. The service's own scientists concluded just last year that this species warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act.

As you are aware, the primary threat to the North American wolverine is habitat and range loss due to climate warming. Wolverines are dependent on deep, persistent snow cover for successful denning. As temperatures increase and snow cover decreases, wolverines are left with less habitat and are increasingly threatened. Given that the Obama administration's research has concluded that the climate is warming, sound science supports protecting the wolverine.

Please reconsider the flawed and deeply political decision to withdraw the proposal to protect wolverines under the Endangered Species Act.

Sincerely,

[Your name here]

Sign at the link: https://takeaction.takepart.com/actions/tell-fws-director-dan-ashe-to-respect-science-and-protect-wolverines?cmpid=action-eml-2014-10-02-wolverine

[2naSalit]

1. Not only that

The State of Montana allows trapping of wolverines and they don't even have a freaking population count for the species, but at least three a year are "allowed" to be "taken" each year.

They need protection for certain.