Red wolves are one of the most endangered species on the planet. These magnificent, shy predators once roamed from Pennsylvania to Florida, but now only about 50 remain in one corner of the North Carolina wilderness.

But these 50 wolves are actually a success story: in 1980, red wolves were declared extinct in the wild. Impressive efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) saw their reintroduction in northeast North Carolina, and the numbers of healthy wild red wolves grew steadily. Unfortunately, the FWS has now chosen to put the brakes on its Red Wolf Recovery Program, saying it needs to re-assess its "viability and necessity." This, despite the fact that a recent FWS-requested review of the program by an independent research group found it was successful and needed to be expanded.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could be abandoning red wolves just as they stand at the brink of extinction, and their motives are suspicious. Recently, a powerful lobby of ranch owners and hunters launched a campaign against the wolves, claiming that they are a hazard to human safety. This is absurd, as there have been no documented cases of wild red wolves attacking humans, despite 500 years of coexistence. Still, the FWS suddenly eliminated the position of recovery coordinator for the program and convened an entirely new recovery team, which includes several non-biologists with ties to the vocal anti-wolf community.

The public overwhelmingly supports the recovery program. We must not allow the FWS to cater to the powerful anti-wildlife lobbyists. Please join me in demanding that they act in the interest of the endangered wolves and the public trust, and continue their successful Red Wolf Recovery Program.