Letters Urge Federal Agencies to Prohibit Killing of Wildlife With Snowmobiles

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Wildlife Conservation

Conservation Groups Call for Immediate Action to Protect Wildlife

WASHINGTON— More than 60 conservation groups from across North America filed letters today urging the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to immediately prohibit the use of snowmobiles or other vehicles to run down, injure or kill wildlife on all federal lands they manage.

Today’s letters were spurred by a recent incident in which a man from Daniel, Wyoming, ran over a yearling female wolf with his snowmobile. This is a hunting practice that states like Wyoming and Idaho authorize for wolves and other predators.

Instead of immediately putting the wolf out of her misery, media reports indicate that the man took her to his home and then to a bar. Shocking photos, videos and witness statements resulted in him being convicted of a misdemeanor under state law for possession of a live wolf. The penalty was a $250 fine.

“This obscene cruelty to wolves and other wildlife is legal under state law, so federal officials need to step in and stop it,” said Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s disgusting that Wyoming and Idaho allow coyotes and wolves to be chased, bludgeoned and run over by snowmobiles. But the American people own the federal lands throughout the country, and we won’t stop until federal agencies ban this horrific practice where they can.”

Public pressure finally resulted in the state wildlife agency, state wildlife commission and governor’s office condemning the man’s actions. Their statements, however, reflect a tendency by state officials to paint the incident as a “one-off,” even though it stems from the state’s anti-predator laws, which authorize running down wolves with snowmobiles and other brutal hunting practices.

“The facts belie state officials’ claims that running over wildlife with snowmobiles and further torturing them doesn’t exemplify Wyoming values,” said Weiss. “By allowing wolves and other predators to be killed by any and all means in most of the state, Wyoming has created an outdoors torture chamber for wildlife. I hope the federal agencies step up to ban this atrocious practice on the lands they manage in Wyoming and across the country.”

In Wyoming 85% of the state is designated as a “Predator Zone,” where wolves and other wildlife classified as predators — including coyotes, jackrabbits, porcupines, raccoons, red fox, skunks and stray cats — may be killed without limits at any time of year by any means with no license requirement.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 15: Life on Land

The issues highlighted in the article are directly connected to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article also have a connection to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats

The article highlights the need to take action to protect wildlife from being run down, injured, or killed by vehicles on federal lands. This relates to the degradation of natural habitats and the need to reduce such practices.

Target 15.7: Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna

The article mentions the hunting practice authorized for wolves and other predators, which can be seen as a form of poaching. Taking action to prohibit such practices is necessary to end the poaching and trafficking of protected species.

Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms

The article discusses the need for federal officials to step in and stop the cruel hunting practices authorized by state laws. Ensuring public access to information about these practices and protecting fundamental freedoms is essential in addressing this issue.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

The article does not explicitly mention the Red List Index, but it highlights the need to take urgent action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats. Monitoring changes in the Red List Index can help measure progress towards this target.

Indicator 15.7.1: Proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked

The article mentions the hunting practices authorized by state laws, which can be seen as a form of poaching. Monitoring the proportion of traded wildlife that was poached or illicitly trafficked can help measure progress towards ending such practices.

Indicator 16.10.2: Number of countries with access to information laws and mechanisms

The article emphasizes the need for federal agencies to step in and stop the hunting practices authorized by state laws. Monitoring the number of countries with access to information laws and mechanisms can help measure progress towards ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: biologicaldiversity.org

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