As stewards of some of the most pristine wild habitats in the world, Wyoming Wildlife Advocates’ (WWA) mission is to inform, educate and empower communities to preserve the state’s wildlife legacy, protect shared wildlife and modernize wildlife management. WWA envisions a Yellowstone ecosystem that leads the nation in exceptional, innovative and science-based wildlife management that fosters ecosystem health and a dynamic equilibrium between species throughout Wyoming. One of the group’s signature programs is its Jackson Hole Bear Solutions. In an effort to both conserve the bear population while protecting the community, WWA offers expert bear-aware education and free or reduced cost bear-resistant garbage management. The group also promotes proactive bear deterrent strategies that help prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food sources, while also raising awareness that bears’ natural food sources are being negatively impacted by climate change, such as the dwindling of cutthroat trout.
Protesters advocate for the protection of Wyoming wildlife. (Photo from the Wyoming Wildlife Advocates website)
WWA became a non-profit organization in 2015. Located in Wilson, WY, WWA operates with a board of directors and volunteers. In addition to advocating for the continuing federal protection of grizzly bears from hunting under the Endangered Species Act, the group also raises awareness about Chronic Wasting Disease – a deadly illness that erodes the brains of elk and deer – that is steadily spreading across Wyoming. The group is advocating for the removal of manmade elk feedgrounds, which creates an unnaturally high elk population that could increase the chance of infection. The group also advocates for removing of wolves from its return in 2017 to state management, which means that in the vast majority of the state, they can be shot on site. WWA believes this policy is ethically unsound and biologically detrimental to the big-picture ecology of Wyoming. Science shows that killing predators disrupts existing pack structures can actually lead to more conflicts and increased pack numbers.