THE PRESENT
Jim Rieder has worked 25 years with wolves
and has spent almost a quarter of a million
dollars of his own funds to pursue this avocation
because of his conviction that so much more
should be learned and done. When he no longer
was able to personally finance this undertaking,
the "Timber Wolf Preservation Society Inc."
was formed in August, 1979. The society is a
state chartered, non-profit corporation with
about 800 members throughout the United States
and other countries. It's operation and policy is
established by a group of volunteer officers and
directors. Because the I.R.S. has granted
tax-exempt status, dues and donations are tax
deductible. The Society is devoted to the preservation and protection of the Eastern Timber Wolf, and owns and maintains 16 pure blooded Eastern
Timber Wolves. Primary interest has been in
educating people in the value of the wolf,
reintroduction of wolves into a suitable habitat.
Since 1981 the Society has all but abandoned
any further direct work on reintroduction for a
number of reasons. First, wolves are making a
comeback on their own in Wisconsin. There are
approximately 50 wild wolves in the state in 11
or more packs [1991 data]. Second, in order for Rieder's plan
to be put into effect, there are many obstacles to
be overcome. Local acceptance and permission in
the release area needs to be obtained; State and
Federal permits must be approved; environmental]
impact statements have to be filed; follow-up
studies made; compensation has to be available
to farmers who might lose livestock and large
amounts of liability insurance would be necessary. These are considerable problems for a small
organization with limited funds. The Society still
stands ready to work with any State or Federal
agency that wants to try Rieder's plan; however,
we decided our main thrust will be public education.
The Society is not only dedicated to the preservation of the Timber Wolf, but to all other
wildlife as well. Therefore if wolves, as well as other
native species. are to make any kind of comeback
in Wisconsin, it is necessary for the public to
understand and appreciate the predator/prey relationship in the balance of nature. It is to this end that the Society is working. We believe that
a large part of the reason for the wolf’s endangered
status is due to widespread misunderstanding
concerning its nature and place in the environment. Through lectures to schools, civic and sportsman groups and media interviews, the
Society hopes to dispel false notions and past
myths about the wolf and to instill a sense of
value for a missing part of our wilderness areas.
"We want to take the bad out of the “Big Bad Wolf.”
says Rieder. Man's tolerance toward the wolf is its
only chance for survival.
THE FUTURE
The society will continue to work towards public awareness regarding the wolf as well as other endangered species. The major means of spreading the word will continue to be the education programs and visits to the farm. We are currently adding the sound track to a film depicting wolf and man inter-relating at the Society’s farm, to be used with the lecture program. It is hoped that in the near future the Newsletter (sent to members) can be expanded to include even more facts and information. If funding becomes available, we would also like to develop a program of sending information to schools in the area or even the state. Our long range plans include the possibility of a large fenced area where a pack could roam more naturally and an education center designed for giving lectures to visiting groups. Also our major objective, to continue the maintenance of a viable breeding gene pool of “Eastern Timber Wolves.”
Contact Information
To learn more about the T.W.P.S. and how you can become involved you can write to them at 6669 S. 76th Street, Greendale, WI 53129 or contact them by calling (414) 425-6107.
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