Extinction Is Forever

He wakes as sun surrenders to nightfall; emitting a haunting howl, he rises to prowl. Bright amber eyes fixate on sources of nourishment. Leaving his protected den in Yellowstone, gray predator becomes the prey. Just feet beyond the National Park farmers shoot to protect livestock. Defenders of Wildlife beg of Congress “Stop the shooting! Ensure the future of once-endangered wolves!” Regal kings of the mountains and prairies, nearly extinct in the ‘30s, rebounded but are still vulnerable. Their future rests in the hands of man, a species that exterminates thoughtlessly, posing threats to many of nature’s gifts. Wild one, remain in protected areas. Survive and thrive; extinction is forever. Mankind’s death knell tolls for too many. * Information on the gray wolf is provided by “Defenders of Wildlife,” a U.S. group that works to protect many endangered species. Each day we lose 25 to 150 animal species. Worldwide animal species extinction figures can be found at: http://www.columbiatribune.com/editorial_archive/q-how-many-animals-go-extinct-every-day/article_47bd1390-867e-11e2-8447-10604b9f6eda.html *Written March 15, 2015