Congress "intent on doing anything but protecting wildlife"

Jeff Flocken, North American Regional Director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), issued the following statement regarding the passage of S.J. Res.18 in the U.S. Senate:

"While America is celebrating the 114th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System, the U.S. Senate has failed to take a stand for keystone species living on these same public lands. IFAW condemns the passage of S.J. Res. 18 and its House-passed counterpart, H.J. Res. 69, which allow for the killing of iconic animals including grizzlies and wolves-as well as their young-on federal refuge lands across Alaska.

This lethal legislation will permit the use of barbaric devices like leg-hold traps, which can leave animals struggling and suffering for days, and neck snares that slowly strangle entangled wildlife-all for the purpose of artificially inflating "game" populations. To call these practices cruel is a vast understatement.

It is deeply concerning that the Senate has taken this step, placing Alaska's wildlife, habitat and ecological balance in jeopardy. Congress seems intent on doing anything but protecting wildlife on lands that have been set aside for that very purpose. Irresponsible policies like S.J. Res. 18/H.J. Res. 69 are not only threatening our native wildlife, but also clearing a path to the reintroduction of extremely inhumane, indiscriminate and unsporting hunting practices on our shared lands."

About IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare)

Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit http://www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.