Mexican Gray Wolf, © Scott S. Warren / National Geographic Stock

You Did It! Public Outcry Prompts Animal Planet to Remove “Man-Eating Super Wolves” Show: Animal Planet removed it’s outrageous and damaging “Man-Eating Super Wolves” episode from the network’s Monster Week late-week line up after more than 80,000 Defenders of Wildlife members and other activists contacted the network in outrage over the episode. The episode was aired once on Wednesday, May 21, and was then taken down from the station’s programming. Animal Planet claims the show was only scheduled to air once, but various TV schedules showed “Man-Eating Super Wolves” had subsequent air times for Sunday, May 25; Tuesday, May 27; and Wednesday, May 28. Thankfully, these air times were removed from further programming.

Wolf, © John Eastcott and Yva Momatiuk / National Geographic Stock
In response, Defenders of Wildlife President and CEO Jamie Rappaport Clark said: There are real-world consequences to airing a fictitious portrayal of wolves based on sensationalism instead of on science. Demonizing wolves does serious harm to these imperiled animals and erodes public support for their continued recovery. We’re glad to see that Animal Planet dropped this episode from its schedule and are proud that our members spoke out so forcefully on this important topic.” A big thank you to all of our members for speaking up for these too-often misunderstood and demonized animals!!
 Defenders Wolf Expert Suzanne Stone Shares Her Story: Suzanne Stone is Defenders’ senior representative for the Rockies and Plains and has worked as a wolf and livestock conflict prevention
expert for over 25 years. She was also one of the original recovery team members to actually restore wolves to Yellowstone and Idaho. Take a look at her latest blog in High Country News for her perspective on Idaho’s war on wolves. In her own words: “…What is truly destructive is that [Idaho’s] state officials seem bent on perpetuating a culture of fear and loathing toward wolves. They repeat gruesome tales from mythology and fail to tell the true, full story about successful ranching in the presence of wolves, or the many reasons why the elk population has declined. And counter to the media hype over wolf attacks, livestock losses to wolves have always ranked among the lowest causes of livestock loss in the West.” 
Wenaha wolf pups, © ODFW
 
Pups from Oregon’s Wenaha Pack.

Alaska Firefighters Rescue Wolf Pups Threatened by Fire:  News broke this week that Alaska firefighters helped rescue a young litter of wolf pups stranded close to an encroaching fire in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. A firefighter reported hearing the cries of a wolf pup on Tuesday, and wildlife biologists came to rescue the abandon pups shortly after. Right now the pups are being cared for at the Alaska Zoo. Check out some adorable photos and video from NBC News.