🚨 Urgent Action Alert: Oppose HR 845 at House Rules Committee Hearing – Monday, December 15 at 3:00 PM ET

Dear Wildlife Advocates and ESA Supporters,

The Pet and Livestock Protection Act (HR 845), introduced by Representatives Lauren Boebert (CO-03) and Tom Tiffany (WI-07), is scheduled for a critical House Rules Committee hearing on Monday, December 15, at 3:00 PM ET in H-313 of the U.S. Capitol. This bill would permanently delist gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) across the lower 48 states, blocking judicial review and eliminating federal protections. Far from addressing genuine conservation needs, HR 845 prioritizes special interests over science, humane management, and public will—handing unchecked authority to states with a history of regulatory failures.

Gray wolves occupy only about 15% of their historic range in the contiguous U.S., far short of the 30% recovery threshold endorsed by most wildlife managers and the public. Congressional delisting circumvents the Administrative Procedure Act’s rigorous scientific review process, setting a dangerous precedent. Politicians are ill-equipped to manage wildlife effectively, often driven by ideology rather than expertise—this bill risks eroding the ESA species by species, undermining the most successful environmental law in U.S. history, which has prevented extinction for 99% of listed species. Over 85% of Americans, including 83% of Republicans, support strengthening the ESA, reflecting broad bipartisan consensus for evidence-based protections.

Wisconsin’s experience post-2020 delisting illustrates the perils: The 2021 wolf hunt exceeded quotas by 82%, resulting in 218 wolves killed in 72 hours, with necropsies revealing prolonged suffering from gut-shot wounds and dog attacks. Over 200 criminal complaints documented trespassing, armed confrontations, and hounds pursuing children near school bus stops—evidence of unenforceable state rules lacking federal oversight from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or USDA. Without ESA safeguards, similar chaos could spread nationwide.

The bill’s sponsors exemplify this misalignment with science and constituents. Rep. Tiffany, deeply connected to mining and timber industries in northern Wisconsin, has worked to dismantle environmental moratoriums that protect against toxic extraction—delisting wolves would ease habitat restrictions for these donors. His advocacy ignores wolves’ role in curbing chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer herds; University of Wisconsin studies show wolves selectively prey on infected individuals, reducing prion spread more effectively than hunting alone. Rep. Boebert, whose campaign benefits from energy sector contributions (including nearly $1 million in her husband’s energy consulting income), has ties to Safari Club International, Hunter Nation, and American Stewards of Liberty. During a 2023 ESA hearing, she disrupted proceedings by displaying photos of aborted fetuses to equate human and wildlife issues, sidelining factual discussions on wolf recovery. Both representatives follow donor dollars from extraction and trophy hunting lobbies—not the 78% of constituents who favor wolf protections.

Wolves deliver tangible benefits: They reduce deer-vehicle collisions by 24% in occupied Wisconsin counties, preventing approximately 4,700 crashes annually, saving two lives, and averting $27 million in damages (based on DOT valuations). Meanwhile, deer cause over $760,000 in verified crop losses yearly in Wisconsin, and black bears inflict $141,000 in agricultural damage—issues better addressed through targeted, science-driven strategies.

Your Voice Can Stop This—Act Now Before Monday’s Hearing

When contacting your representative, pivot the conversation: Share a fresh, science-backed insight they may not have heard, such as wolves’ CWD mitigation or road safety gains, to reframe beyond outdated narratives. Avoid debating pet or livestock impacts—focus on the broader stakes for ecosystems, public safety, and the ESA’s legacy.

Key Talking Points for Calls and Emails

Use these concise, evidence-based messages to urge attendance and a “NO” vote:

• Flawed Process and ESA Erosion: “HR 845’s congressional delisting bypasses the Administrative Procedure Act’s scientific requirements, risking species-by-species dismantling of the ESA—supported by 85% of Americans. Vote NO to preserve this proven law.”
• Recovery Far from Complete: “Wolves occupy just 15% of historic range; experts and the public seek 30% recovery. This bill ignores science—politicians aren’t qualified wildlife managers. Ensure USFWS oversight for balanced outcomes.”
• Wisconsin’s Cautionary Tale: “Post-delisting, Wisconsin saw 82% quota overages, inhumane kills, and 200+ violations (per 2021 white paper). Without federal partnership, cruelty escalates—block HR 845 to prevent nationwide failures.” (Attach: wiwolvesandwildlife.org/whitepaper)
• Sponsors’ Conflicts of Interest: “Reps. Boebert and Tiffany prioritize mining, energy, and hunting donors (Safari Club, Hunter Nation) over constituents—delisting clears land for extraction, not conservation. Follow public will, not lobbies.”
• Proven Public Benefits: “Wolves reduce deer crashes 24%, saving $27 million in lives and property yearly—far outweighing other wildlife damages like $760K in deer crop losses. ESA enables these wins; delisting endangers them.”

Immediate Action Steps (Takes 5 Minutes)

1. Locate Your Representative: Visit house.gov/representatives and enter your ZIP code.
2. Call or Email Today: Use the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. Sample script: “Rep. [Name], the HR 845 Rules hearing is Monday at 3:00 PM—please attend and vote NO. This unscientific delisting (wolves at 15% recovery) erodes the 85%-supported ESA and invites cruelty, as seen in Wisconsin’s 2021 hunt failures. Wolves curb CWD and save lives on roads—pivot to facts, not lobbies.”
3. Sign and Share Petitions:
   • Endangered Species Coalition: www.endangered.org/take-action (Oppose anti-ESA bills including HR 845)
   • Team Wolf: teamwolf.org/congressional-action
   • National Parks Conservation Association: npca.org/articles/7637-position-on-h-r-845-h-r-1897
4. Amplify Online: Post on social media, tagging @RepBoebert, @RepTiffanyWI07, and @HouseGOP with #StopHR845 #ProtectWolves. Share the white paper for impact.

Together, we’ve defended wolves before—your action today can tip the scales. Thank you for standing with science, compassion, and the wild.

In solidarity for wildlife,

P.S

Forward this alert widely-volume matters. If you’ve called, reply to share your experience; we’ll track momentum.

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