The Wolf Forum
of the Southern Rockies was created to provide science-based information and
access to the arguments for and against the wolf's return to the Southern Rocky
Mountain Region. We respect diverse viewpoints and good science. We hold as our
guiding principle that "Good Information to Good People Leads to Good
Decisions".
We do not advocate for or against the return of the wolf to the
Southern Rockies.
The Gray Wolf was exterminated from
the Southern Rockies in the early 1940's. The wolf has returned to the Northern
Rockies and Yellowstone National Park and has returned to historical numbers in
the Great Lakes Region.
Several groups are advancing the idea of returning
wolves to the Southern Rockies Region. These groups argue that wolves would
restore a natural balance, that the Endangered Species Act requires federal
agencies to explore this possibility and that the absence of the wolf is a gap
in the region's wildlife mix that should be filled. Other groups are opposed to
the wolf's return and argue that wolves would have negative impacts on
livestock and big game populations, that human lives and pets would be
jeopardized and that private property rights would be
compromised.
This website provides
scientific information from reviewed publications and factual answers to
frequently asked questions. It also provides a forum for diverse organizations
to post their position on the question of wolf restoration in the Southern
Rockies. If you are a member of an organization that has a stake in this issue
have your group leader contact us to have your group's official position
statement published here.
Together the Forum members
serve over 3 million annual visitors to our institutions. The Forum plans
outreach events in the region to engage the public in informative, balanced
discussions.
In addition, the Forum will post on this website and
distribute at our facilities any relevant scientific publication submitted on
this issue once it passes review by a Scientific Advisory Group to verify that
it is based on fact.
After considering all aspects of the issue, individuals
are encouraged to consider their own informed answer to the question "SHOULD
WOLVES RETURN TO THE SOUTHERN ROCKIES?"
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