Our Mission& Core Programs

Making America wild again

Named after the Ute word for wolves, Sinapu is dedicated to the restoration and protection of native carnivores and their wild habitat in the Southern Rockies, and connected high plains and deserts.

Carnivore Protection Program

In addition to our work to restore the region's native carnivores, Sinapu also works to protect those carnivores that still call the Southern Rockies home. From ending the government-sponsored aerial assault on coyotes, to our ongoing effort to curb the hunting of pumas, Sinapu continues to make great headway.

Wild carnivores play a fundamental role in the healthy functioning of their native ecological systems. We aim to protect coyotes, black bears, pumas and lynx in the Southern Rocky Mountains, and by so doing, protect the natural processes these creatures drive.

Coyotes (Canis latrans)

Throughout North America, coyotes endure a never-ending assualt by government and private interests (i.e. aerial hunting, such as in the picture above; photo courtesy of James Balog). Although coyotes have managed to expand their range in the abscence of wolves, these wasteful killing programs must be ended for the sake of the ecosystems that coyotes help shape.

Puma (Puma concolor )

Pumas (also known as mountain lions, cougars, and panthers) are integral to the health of the West’s ecosystems. They are also under tremendous pressure from hunting and development. We aime to protect the largest of our native cats through a variety of approaches.

Lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Although now covered under our Carnivore Protection Program, lynx represent a major restoration victory in the Southern Rockies. Nearly extirpated by the mid 1990's, lynx are now making a comeback in Colorado due to a small reintroduction program sponsored by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

The black bear is the only bruin species left in significant numbers in the continental United States. Hunted heavily in the 1800s and early 1900s, efforts to conserve the species only began in recent decades.

Carnivore Restoration Program

Wild carnivores play a fundamental role in the healthy functioning of their native ecological systems. We aim to restore grizzly bears, wolves, wolverine, and lynx to the Southern Rocky Mountains, and by so doing, restore the natural processes these creatures drive.

The land conservation and restoration efforts of Sinapu and our partners in other conservation organizations focus on the habitat needs of these wild carnivores as the basis for determining the most critical areas for protection.

Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)

Wolves were extirpated from the Southern Rockies by 1945. Since 1991, Sinapu has advocated for the restoration of this most important top-level predator.