Chris's Sharebook 

The first Wisconsin wolf hunt is scheduled for October 15th and is planned to continue through February. Wisconsin is the only state that will allow hunters to use dogs to pursue wolves, and current hunting regulations lack any regulations such as leash and lead requirements. 

Hunters argue that they can use radio collars to tell dogs to stop, but dogs don't always listen to them. Because wolves are known to attack hunting dogs, current hunting regulations create the potential for brutal conflicts between dogs and wolves. Endangering dogs in this way would violate Wisconsin's animal cruelty laws.

DNR agency officials say they don't have time to add dog restrictions before the first October hunt, but such restrictions would save dogs from brutal injury and death. Judge Peter C. Anderson is currently considering humane society groups' requests to add these restrictions. Please sign the petition to stop the use of dogs in Wisconsin wolf hunts!

Rhino poaching deaths in South Africa have risen from an average of about 15 in 2008 to 448 in 2011. South African National Parks wildlife veterinary services head Markus Hofmeyr estimates that at current rates, rhinos could go into decline by 2016 and go extinct in the wild by 2050.

Rhino horns are sold to China and Vietnam for use in medicine thought to relieve cancer symptoms. The horns have fetched up to $60,000 on the black market.

The current poaching and illegal trade practices cannot continue at the current rates. Please sign the petition to urge Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa to come to an agreement with China and Vietnam over steps they can take to end rhino slaughter in South Africa.