Chris Smith is the Southwest Wildlife Advocate for WildEarth Guardians and Greta Anderson is the Deputy Director for Western Watersheds Project. We were lucky enough to have both of them on the podcast to discuss Asha, the Mexican Grey Wolf who was traveling beyond the I-40 boundary. During our discussion, Asha was re-captured and will ultimately be transported back inside the recovery area.

Chris and Greta described the impact Asha's story has made throughout the environmental community, what they hope her story does for future conservation of Mexican Grey Wolves and their thoughts on wolf recovery in the Southwest United States.

@wildearthguardians

@westernwatershedsproject

@thewolfconnectionpod

Advocates Urge Agencies to Let Asha Roam Free

Asha's Visit to Northern New Mexico Offers Hope for Recovery

Asha the Roaming Mexican Grey Wolf Captured in New Mexico

Lizzy Pennock is the Carnivore Coexistence Attorney for WildEarth Guardians. Conservation groups Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force and WildEarth Guardians were granted temporary relief for threatened grizzly bears, when a judge issued an interim ban on wolf trapping in Montana grizzly bear habitat. This was all stemming from a lawsuit filed on September 22nd, 2023. 

Lizzy went into detail about the court ruling, what it means for grizzly bears and wolves in the near future, and the effects this could have in the state Montana.

@wildearthguardians

WildEarth Guardians Press Release

Case Documents

@thewolfconnectionpod

Dario Hipolito is a PhD student at both the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies at the University of Aveiro in Portugal, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. He studies Iberian wolves in Portugal, grey wolves in Croatia and promotes coexistence in both places.

Dario explained his journey to studying wolves in Europe, how he engages rural communities with coexistence discussions surrounding wolves, and the challenges wolves face in Portugal.

@dariorhipolito

Dario Hipolito Research Gate

Dario Hipolito Webinar

Life Wild Wolf

@thewolfconnectionpod

For over a decade, Ronan Donovan has been a Conservation Filmmaker & Photographer. His work has included studying chimpanzees in Uganda, to wolves in Yellowstone National Park and the Arctic. His visual storytelling, speaking engagements, and photography exhibits have continued his pursuit of conservation for animals on the human dominated landscape.

Ronan spoke about his journey from wildlife biologist to filmmaker, how his experiences with wolves have shaped his visual storytelling, and the many avenues he promotes educational information for the public.

@ronan_donovan

Ronan Donovan Website

High Desert Museum Bend, Oregon: Wolves Exhibit

@thewolfconnectionpod

Eric Odell is the Wolf Conservation Manager for Colorado Parks & Wildlife, and has worked within the agency since 2000. In this role, he directs conservation and management programs to aid in the establishment and protection of native, non-game carnivore species to the state.

Eric went into great detail about the wolf reintroduction plan in Colorado, gave updates on where the wolves are coming from, and discussed all the factors leading up to the first release of wolves onto the landscape.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Wolves

@coparkswildlife

Colorado Wolf Restoration and Management Plan FINAL 2023

@thewolfconnectionpod

Kim Wheeler has been the Executive Director of Red Wolf Coalition for 18 years. The Red Wolf Coalition (RWC) advocates for the long-term survival of red wolf populations by teaching about the red wolf, fostering public involvement in red wolf conservation and envisions the long-term survival of free ranging, self-sustaining red wolf populations at three or more sites.

Kim spoke to us about her journey to Red Wolf Coalition, the state of the Red Wolf population today, and the long-term mission for the species.

Red Wolf Coalition Website

@redwolfcoalition

@thewolfconnectionpod

Zach Lee is currently based in North Carolina and has been a photographer for nearly 7 years. He has worked on photographing Red Wolves for conservation efforts and informing the public about their endangered status.

Zach spoke to us about his journey to North Carolina, how he become involved photographing Red Wolves, and how he helps local NGO's in spreading information about the species.

@zachlee.jpg

@thewolfconnectionpod

Erik Molvar is the Executive Director for Western Watersheds Project.

The mission of Western Watersheds Project (WWP) is to protect and restore western watersheds and wildlife through education, public policy initiatives, and legal advocacy. He is the author of 16 hiking guidebooks and backpacking techniques manuals for national parks and wilderness areas spanning the West from Alaska to Arizona.

Erik spoke about the history of wolves throughout the United States, the conflicts they face with the ranching industry today, and the ways he and WWP is fighting to protect wolves throughout the United States.

@westernwatershedsproject

Western Watersheds Project

Cowboy State Daily Letter to the Editor

@thewolfconnectionpod

Monica Stahlmann is the author of Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup book series.

Clint Burson is the Strategic Communications Manager for LightHawk Conservation Flying, and Brooke George is their Wildlife Program Manager.

LightHawk has flown many endangered species across the country that are in active recovery programs in the wild, including Mexican Gray and Red Wolves.

Monica shared updates on her book series, and provided exciting information on the wolf named Trumpet and her pups!

Clint and Brooke explained the mission of LightHawk, the planning that goes into flying different animal species, and how they've helped transport Mexican Gray Wolves to their natural habitat.

LightHawk Conservation Flying

@lighthawk_org

Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup Book Series on Amazon

@thewolfconnectionpod