by Stephen Capra, Bold Visions Conservation
The photos in this article are all of wild and free animals; I think we have all had enough horror lately to last a lifetime.
Today, Wyoming Game and Fish will meet to talk about the fetish torture and killing of a gray wolf in their state. The monster responsible for this is Cody Roberts, a man devoid of human emotions, a killer, and a person who decided to use his energy to torture this poor wolf in unspeakable ways.
Few images are as emblazed into my consciousness as the one with this wolf's mouth taped shut. This man deserves to be placed at the gates of hell for his actions. But so too do the people in the bar who relished what was occurring and got involved in the torture of this badly wounded animal. This is the reality we face today; ranchers and those in rural America are dedicated to the destruction of wolves in the wild. They bait, call out, and do all they can to destroy these animals. They are given full access, thanks to the Game commissions in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana; their actions represent their commitment to ranchers, trophy hunting, and trapping interests.
It is no wonder that Mr. Roberts felt so giddy at the chance to destroy the life of such an innocent creature; these commissions practically green light any means of killing wolves-traps, archery, shooting, running over in snowmobiles. We are not dealing with real sportsmen, but human slobs that wear their ignorance on their sleeves and believe anything they are told about wolves, and their sources are livestock interests and sportsmen's organizations that are determined to control wildlife for killing on our public lands.
Today, Wyoming Game and Fish will allow testimony, but there is no plan to punish this psychopath; instead, this commission remains dedicated to the destruction of all predator species that will listen and ignore. The governor's statement that they are the best in the world is laughable, but they are some of the worst.
Nothing has affected me and others in my organization as much as this. Still, as trappers have told me, we want to break your poor liberal heart, then we know we are winning. I continue to ask, where is child protective services? How can they allow children to live with a man who displays torture with a smile? Why is he not in jail? Why is the so-called game commission not revoking his hunting privileges for life?
This man displayed the worst humanity has to offer, and this wolf will not die in vain! We must continue to push, and I also believe that those in the bar, except for the hero who told authorities about this, the whole lot should also be sent to jail.
All of this comes back to the reality that Martha Williams has blood on her hands and continues to allow wolves to be managed by the states, all so Jon Tester can be reelected. Senator Tester needs to understand that wolves are not what will prevent his reelection.
We cannot allow rural America and trophy hunters to dictate wildlife policy. If Biden wins after the election, the US Fish and Wildlife Service must relist wolves and make clear that grizzlies will not be delisted. These states need to pay the price for their ignorance.
It's time that these bastards learn a hard lesson, and we must stop reintroducing wolves until we can stop the slaughter and end the narrative "of these poor ranchers." They should not be allowed to kill predators if they are grazing on public lands.
Wildlife is not on this earth to be tortured. Those who think they can break our hearts need to understand clearly: we will pass laws to end trapping and to stop your ability to chase and kill wolves, coyotes, and any other viable wildlife. We will end your reign and bring your ability to kill predators to an end.
Today, Wyoming Game and Fish has a chance to do what is right; my guess is they will punt and close the circle around the very people they have given license to kill without science or logic. This time, their actions have allowed a very sick individual to destroy, torture, and harm in every way he could think, an animal that will never leave my heart or mind.
For this reason, he should never enjoy a day of peace again in his miserable life. We cannot sit idly; we must demand change for the animals that bring us wonder and joy.
Ignorance in 2024 must be crushed. This terrible incident must be the fuse that lights a path for change.
Please take a moment and write to the Wyoming Wildlife Commissioners and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon. Make clear the following:
This man must serve serious jail time.
He must be fined far more than $250
Child protective services must inspect his home.
He must lose all hunting and fishing privileges for life.
Those in the bar who participated in this torture must also face jail time and fines.
Make clear you will only visit Wyoming once change comes.
Write the head of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Martha Williams.
Make clear she has blood on her hands. This incident clarifies that the states of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana cannot manage predator species, wolves must be relisted, and grizzlies cannot be delisted, period.
Tell her to do her job and stop allowing the destruction and torture of our wildlife.
Include a picture of the wolf if you can.
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