CALL TO ACTION: Toklat wolf pack (Sierra Club)

[Fleurs du Mal]

A recent Sierra Club alert:

Please take action - EVERY email, telephone call and fax will help.

The Toklat Alpha Female From Denali National Park in Alaska Has Been Trapped!
Your letter is needed NOW to help prevent the death of the remaining pack members! Details below.



It is with sincere sadness that we are sending news of the trapping death of the alpha female of the world famous Toklat wolf pack. She is the wolf standing in
+front of the moose in this picture. For any that may not know, this is the most scientifically studied, photographed, and viewed wolf pack in the world. The
+very survival of this family group is in question, which is why we are asking for your help.

Other members of this family group (pack) are in grave danger of being trapped when they return to the area where their alpha female was killed because this is
+an active trap-line. The likelihood that they will return to this area is extremely high.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has the authority to put in place an emergency order, closing this area to trapping and hunting. The area is within a few
+hundred feet of the northeast boundary of the Denali National Park buffer zone.

Biologist Gordon Haber, PHD, is in his 40th year of scientific study of this pack. He observed from the air this breeding (alpha) female being removed from the
+traps she was caught in. The trapper reported that she was still alive when he approached and that he could hear the other family group members howling. The
+trapper then shot what many feel was the worldís most important wolf, from both a scientific and watchable wildlife perspective. Gordon attempted to work with
+the trapper, trying to get him to remove his other traps from the area. Despite valiant efforts he was unsuccessful.

Gordon has identified the area that needs an emergency closure, roughly the unprotected area from Savage River east to the Parks Highway. This area is in the
+middle of the most ungulate rich winter habitat available in this region, which is why it serves as a magnet for both wolves and trappers.

If you would like further details Dr. Haber has prepared an excellent five page summary available at
+<http://pressroom.akwildlife.org/news/item.tcl?news_item_id=101825> http://pressroom.akwildlife.org/news/item.tcl?news_item_id=101825 .

PLEASE send a brief email to the following, and call Denali National Park at 907-683-2294, or FAX them at 907-683-9617. In your letter be sure to identify the
+general area and make reference to the specific area needing closure as defined by Dr. Gordon Haber in his email to both Wayne Reglin and Mike Fleagle. Also, be
+sure to include your full name and mailing address.

Wayne Regelin, Acting commissioner: send e-mail c/o: <mailto:[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ms. Hughes is the
+commissioner's secretary)
phone: [phone]

Mike Fleagle, Chairman of the AK. Board of Game: send e-mail c/o: <mailto:[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Ms. Baily is the
+Ex. Director of the Board of Game)

Last and perhaps most important, is to pass this message on to every person and organization that cares about wildlife!

You are also welcome to contact me at <mailto:[e-mail]> [e-mail], or (phone) 907-277-9819.

John Toppenberg
Director
Alaska Wildlife Alliance

Deirdre Butler
Vice Chair/ Wildlife Sub-Committee Chair
__________________________________________
Sierra Club - Indian Peaks Group

[doodadem]

1. Done!

Also a member of the Sierra Club.

***Just received this response back. If time is of the essence, this is a problem.
"I will be out of the office beginning 3/3/05, and returning 3/14/05. If you wish to submit written comments to the Alaska Board of Game, please either mail your comments, containing your name, telephone number, and address, to Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Board Support Section, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802-5526, or FAX them to 907-465-6094. Please visit http://www.boards.adfg.state.ak.us/gameinfo/index.php

THIS EMAIL ACCOUNT IS NOT MONITORED FOR COMMENTS TO THE BOARD OF GAME."