Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) recently introduced federal legislation (bill S.1788), which would force the removal of Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for Western Great Lakes’ wolves. This not only disregards broad public and Tribal support for wolves, but also the best-available science. The bill is endorsed by various Wisconsin ‘Big Ag’ and canned hunting organizations, and is co-sponsored by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

If passed, this bill would open the door to the same egregious state wolf policies currently operating in the Northern Rocky Mountains, where wolves are being intentionally slaughtered through the reinstatement of wolf bounties.  Snares, hounds, night vision equipment and the killing of pups, are now undoing decades of recovery. We know wolves in the Western Great Lakes will face this same, cruel fate if they lose federal protections. In 2021, when wolves were federally delisted, Wisconsin authorized two killing seasons in one year, allowing hunters to kill over 200 wolves in less than 3 days (30% of the entire state’s population)!

Federal legislation is a long process and an uphill battle. Your sustained support and advocacy is essential to success! Wolves in the Great Lakes need continued protections, for their sake and for the sake of Great Lakes’ ecosystems.

Urge your Senators to oppose S.1788!

The bill has been referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee but no meetings have been scheduled yet. We’ll update you when the bill has its first hearing. Right now, it is critical to increase support for wolves by encouraging your Senator to oppose the bill.

Here’s what you can do:

1. Contact your U.S. Senator to ask them to oppose S.1788. Find your Senator here and use our talking points when contacting them.
2. Write a Letter to the Editor (LTE) and submit it to your local newspaper, especially if you live in Michigan, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
   • Use these talking points. See tips on LTEs here
3. Spread the word: Share this alert with friends and family and encourage them to take action.

Thank you for helping protect wolves in the Western Great Lakes!