Great Lakes Wolf Restoration Another Success for the Endangered Species Act
Statement of Rodger Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of Wildlife
(03/16/2006) - "The restoration of the Great Lakes gray wolf is a classic Endangered Species Act success story. The protections of the act and careful stewardship by the states in the region have combined to bring this beautiful and critically important creature back from the edge of extinction. This tremendous accomplishment is testimony to America’s commitment to conserving our natural heritage for future generations and a great example of just how vital the Endangered Species Act is to that effort."The Great Lakes states deserve a tremendous amount of credit for their role in helping gray wolf numbers increase substantially over the last two decades. It is now their responsibility to make sure the proper mechanisms are in place to ensure the wolf’s continued recovery so re-listing never becomes necessary. It is more important now than ever that the states avoid reverting back to the time when wolves were recklessly persecuted.
"America once drove the wolf to the brink of extinction; the wolf’s rebound in the Great Lakes shows that we can learn from our mistakes and even atone for them. With the help of the Endangered Species Act, an enduring symbol of America’s natural heritage has been saved from extinction. It is a triumph that should be celebrated by every American.”
Background: The gray wolves of the Great Lakes region were placed on the list of endangered species in 1974. Since that time, the protections of the Endangered Species Act and rigorous conservation measures by state authorities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan have increased wolf population numbers beyond original recovery goals. In Minnesota, there are an estimated 3,000 wolves, up from 300 when the wolf was first listed. Wolf populations in Wisconsin and Michigan had been completely wiped out when wolves were first listed, but today Wisconsin is home to more than 425 wolves and Michigan has more than 400 wolves within its borders.
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Contact(s):
William Lutz, (202) 772-0269Cindy Hoffman, (202) 772-3255
