FIGHTING FOR WOLF JUSTICE IN THE HALLS OF POWER
Last week, our Executive Director Kristin Combs and board member Jim Laybourn traveled to Cheyenne to continue fighting for justice and stronger animal cruelty laws. The heartwrenching case of the young wolf tortured in Daniel, Wyoming, has not only galvanized great momentum surrounding the treatment of predators across the state, but highlighted the dire need for a change at the highest level.
In collaboration with Kim Bean from Wolves of the Rockies and Lisa Robertson of Wyoming Untrapped, WWA representatives met with policy advisors to Governor Mark Gordon to discuss gaps in current legislation that allowed this repugnant incident to occur. “This is only the beginning,” said Combs. “We are dedicated to working behind the scenes with legislators to ensure that the laws surrounding wolves and other predators truly do reflect our values as citizens of Wyoming.”
As the team spent time in the Capitol, they couldn’t help but feel deeply inspired by the constellation of statues in the main rotunda. These sculptures, entitled “Four Sisters: Truth, Justice, Courage and Hope,” were created by artist and poet Delissalde and unveiled by Governor Gordon in 2019.
“These core values define us as a state so profoundly, they’ve been enshrined in the heart of our state capitol,” Combs reflected. “All of our laws and conduct should be guided by these tenets, and we’re determined to make sure that legislation surrounding wildlife and preventing cruelty are no exception.”
The team made this expectation clear to Governor Gordon’s policy advisors; in return, they received assurance that the values of truth, justice, courage and hope would serve as the standard moving into the process of reform.
Outrage over the incident in the Green River Bar, during which a young wolf was mercilessly tortured by Cody Roberts, has flared around the globe. As visitors cancel trips to Wyoming in protest of shoddy wildlife management, our statewide economy has suffered damage — as has our reputation as a state.
At WWA, we refuse to let this wolf’s suffering and death be in vain; it is a critical moment for all of us to demand change and build a system that truly reflects who we are and, perhaps more importantly, who we want to be.
We’re not giving up. We won’t forget.
Will you help us?
Your support will ensure that WWA can continue fighting for critically-important legislative reform. Give now — together we can prevent another wolf from suffering such a terrible fate.
WGFD Commission Meeting Review
Did you miss the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission Meeting on April 17? You can catch up online here!
Dozens of supporters gathered in Riverton to offer passionate and impactful comments to the Commission regarding the wolf that was tortured and killed in Daniel, Wyoming. Even more joined in remotely to offer their well-worded opinions; people from across the nation expressed their heartbreak, frustration and disgust towards the actions of Cody Roberts, and made it clear that the world is carefully watching what Wyoming does next.
View the video of the meeting at this link. (Public comment begins at 4:09)
New Book!
Earlier this month, a grizzly was killed in the Big Horn Mountains — the first time in decades that a grizzly has been documented in that region. While it’s disheartening that he was killed, his presence indicates that bears across the West are potentially gaining ground toward population connectivity.
As we celebrate and continue to fight for their protection in Wyoming, we’re delighted to announce a new book from Green Kids Club co-authored by our own Kristin Combs! It’s a great way for younger generations to develop a deeper understanding of these amazing animals, and why it’s so important to manage them well. Order your copy of Learning About Grizzlies here!
We will also have these for sale at the Jackson Hole Eco Fair on May 11 at the Center for the Arts.
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Photo Credits:
Gray Wolf: Laney Kohout
Black Wolf: Ashley Noble Wild Photography
