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For Immediate Release
Defenders of Wildlife Denounces Secretary Norton's Move to Hand Over Wolf Control to Idaho
State Government that Once Voted to Eradicate Wolves to Be Given Control over the Future of this Imperiled Creature
Washington , DC - The federal government's plan to hand wolf management responsibilities over to the State of Idaho would likely lead to a big jump in the number of wolves killed in the state, Defenders of Wildlife said today. Noting that the Idaho state legislature passed, and Gov. Kempthorne signed, a 2002 memorial calling for the eradication of wolves in Idaho "by any means necessary," Defenders said handing over wolf management duties to the state at this time could be giving Idaho a license to kill wolves.
"Defenders of Wildlife supports enlisting the help of the states with wolf management where appropriate, but the federal government is poised to hand virtually all responsibility to a state that has essentially vowed to destroy the wolf. It is a recipe for disaster," said Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen. "Idaho's wolf management plan to shoot first and ask questions later could jeopardize the future of the wolf in the region. We believe this action is blatantly illegal and are exploring options for stopping it in court."
Among the many problems associated with Idaho's plan for wolf management, Defenders points to the plan’s vagueness regarding specific actions that will be taken as part of wolf management, as well as the plan’s strong focus on wolf control to boost numbers of game animals sought by hunters. Defenders cited recent scientific evidence showing that wolves do not play a significant role in game availability.
"Many states such as Montana manage their wolf populations well with a conservation-oriented state plan, and Idaho could have easily joined their ranks if it had focused more on wolf conservation than on appeasing the anti-wolf zealots in the state," said Schlickeisen.
Defenders pointed out that, while wolf opponents claim that wolves are decimating elk herds and hurting hunting opportunities, analyses by state agencies show a stable elk population in Idaho . Claims are also made that wolves take a heavy toll on livestock producers. But federal statistics show that more livestock are lost to pet dogs and even predatory birds like eagles, than to wolves. Defenders of Wildlife has also set up a compensation program that pays ranchers for verified losses to wolves, as long as non-lethal alternatives are utilized to avoid conflicts.
"The fact is that, as large carnivores, wolves play an enormously important role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem that benefits us all. Suggestions that they take a huge toll on human activities like ranching and hunting are simply not true," said Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies Representative from Defenders.
" Idaho is a national conservation success story when it comes to the wolf," said Stone. "Our nation has accomplished something in Idaho that is rarely done: bringing a creature back from the brink of extinction. It would be a tragedy for man and wolf alike if the state is allowed to turn back the clock on this enormous accomplishment."
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Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 490,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues.
