John,

For decades, wolves were on the brink of extinction in most of Europe and have recently returned to a few countries. But because one of them killed Ursula von der Leyen’s pony, the whole species is at risk again.

The European Commission, led by von der Leyen, has proposed that the EU push to lower the protection status of wolves under an international convention on wildlife conservation in Europe. This wouldn’t just kill wolves in Europe — it would announce open season for governments everywhere to ignore wildlife protection treaties.

Together, we can pressure her into doing the right thing:

Ursula von der Leyen: protect the wolves!

In Sweden, wolves are a "highly endangered" species and are "strictly protected." A poll with rural inhabitants revealed that 68% thought wolves should be strictly protected, and 72% agreed they have a right to coexist.

Wolves are an integral part of Europe's natural heritage. Their return to parts of the continent where the species had previously been erased is a conservation success.

Wolves kill between 30,000 and 40,000 European livestock animals annually, the majority of which are sheep. But farmers are compensated for those losses. Experts say there are simple and effective ways to manage the threat that wolves pose to livestock and to enhance coexistence that are more effective and realistic than deliberate extermination. We’ve got to stop this plan.

Over 130,000 Ekō members joined together to demand governments worldwide ban the sale of products derived from farmed octopuses. We can use our powerful platform to stop this personally fuelled vengeance before it’s too late and demand that wolves’ protection be maintained. But we have to act now:

Ursula von der Leyen, let the wolves live!

According to The Brussels Times, Ursula von der Leyen's plans for the wolves is meeting some resistance from other EU leaders -- who believe it's not legal, and besides, it sends a terrible message to the world. Let's seize the moment and save the wolves!