~*~Protecter Of Wolves~*~

THE GRAY WOLF
Gray Wolves vary in color from white to black. Although most are gray speckled with black. Typical males weigh 100 pounds and are five feet long from nose to tip. Wolves were once common in the northern states an throughout Canada. They actually helped the species they hunted by taking the old, the sick, and weak animals. But when humans arrived with their herds of cattle and sheep, wolves became a feared nuisance. The US government paid bounties to hunters who killed wolves, and they were hunted, trapped, and poisoned relentlessly. By the early decades of the twentieth century, the Gray Wolf was gone from most of the United States, though it still roams through most of far northern america. Recently there have been efforts to protect the few remaining US wolves and even reintroduce families of wolves into their old range in the US. Stories about wolves attacking humans are mostly untrue, but wolves will kill livestock. A government program that pays ranchers for lost animals is part of the effort to restore the Gray Wolf to its home.

THE RED WOLF
This southern wolf is smaller than the Gray Wolf. A male red wolf usually weighs 70 pounds and measures 4 feet from head to tail. The red wolf used to range throught the south central and southern states. Like its northern cousin, the Red Wolf was hunted and trapped with a vengeance whenever it came in contact wiht humans. Although it does kill some livestock animals, the Red Wolf preys mainly on rabbits and other rodents that compete for grazing land. Typical of the hysterical "bad press" that this and other wolves received is this story told by naturalist John Audobon in the mid-19th century: following army battles, said Audobon, "these ravenous beasts disputed the carcasses of the brave, the young, and the patriotic, who have fallen for their country's honour!" Today, the few Red Wolves that survive eke out an existence in coastal scrub of the southeastern states, mainly Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Captive breeding programs have been started to help save the Red Wolf.
DOING SOMETHING
In 1973, the United States passed a law to try to slow down extinctions. The law is called the Endangered Species Act, and it is one of the most powerful conservation laws ever passed by any country. It protects, to a degree, over 1,000 plants and animals that are listed as either endangered or threatened. An 'endangered' species is one that is dying out so rapidly that it may soon become extinct. A 'threatened' species is not in immediate danger of extinction, but it could be soon if it is not protected. The Act makes it against the law for Americans to buy or sell endangered animals or things made from them, such as jewelry made from tortoise shell. The Act also calls for the protection of all US species that are threatened or endangered. A recovery program to save each species must be put in place, and it may be illegal to change the animals' habitat. Sometimes this means not putting in new roads, or stopping plans for new dams or housing developments. The animals above have been on the list of animals protected by the US Endangered Species Act.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
I thought you would never ask *smile*, there are many opportunities for both children and adults to make a difference in the struggle to save our endangered or threatened wildlife. There may well be endangered or threatened animals in your town or state. Start by contacting natural resources departments or a nearby chapter of a preservation organization such as the Audobon Society to ask about ways you can get involved. Remember, saving wildlife is often a matter of protecting habitat and using less of our natural resources. Family projects such as water conservation and recycling can benefit both wildlife and people. You may want to learn more about the animals that are threatened or endangered. There is another page on here that lists some, but an excellent place to begin is with the Peterson Field Guides or the Peterson First Guides, which are simplified versions of the field guide. I myself belong to the Sierra Club, and the Coastal Conservancy Association where I live, also numerous 'wolf' organizations.....but please beware, it is sad but true, BIG BUSINESS does not seem to care about conserving our wildlife or our natural resources, they have a lot of money and power to lobby in our government!!!!!!!!!!!! They just passed legislation allowing drilling in the arctic, which will be devastaing to the wildlife and resources there..........I will put up more on that later!!!!!!! Also some links where you can go online to sign petitions, write to your lawmakers, etc, and MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE CHECK BACK VERY OFTEN AS I WILL BE POSTING NEWS OF NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you LIB!!!