The International Wolf Center recently received a government grant of 1.2 million dollars to educate the public concerning wolves. IWC then published "Another Viewpoint: Why Hunting-Trapping is Best Plan to Manage Gray Wolf Populations" and "Considerations for Developing Wolf Harvesting Regulations in the Contiguous United States." In these articles IWC makes the case for wolf hunting as the best way to "thin wolf populations" post delisting as endangered species. Dr. L. David Mech, IWC founder and President of IWC Board of Directors, expresses concern thatthe "novelty" of wolf killing may wear off short of "efficient" wolf-taking. He recommends:kill pregnant females, improving the monetary value of wolf pelts, teach the public proper ways to skin wolves, designate hunts at times when wolf fur is optimal,organize "guided hunts" for persons seeing a "trophy," hire profesional wolf trappers who are paid by wolf taken,and identifymeasures that "maximize the recreational value" of wolf hunting. Dr. Mech advisesthat States"minimize public animosity" towards wolf hunting bysuch things as arranging hunts in areas where wolves threaten livestock rather than continue successful non-lethal measures of protecting livestock. IWC betrays known facts concerning wolves particularly that wolvesare not a threat to humans and adapt their pack size to accomodate their habitat. Wolvesare necessary to healthy wilderness regions andtothe food chain from the top down.Wolf conservation involves teachingothers to appreciate, respect, and preserve wolves asessential to nature and ultimately to human survival. IWC defies thiseffort andshould not receive any public grants or funds.

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