New Federal Plan Reduces Wolf Protection

Defenders of Wildlife Denounces Management Plan That Allows Increase Killing of Wolves in Idaho and Montana

(01/03/2005) - WASHINGTON - Defenders of Wildlife is in the midst of reviewing a rule change by the Bush Administration that reduces protection for wolves and potentially jeopardizes wolf recovery efforts in Idaho and Montana. This new rule greatly expands the circumstances under which people and agencies can kill wolves.

"While Defenders of Wildlife supports strong and active state participation in managing wolves, it is essential that such management does not erase or compromise the incredible achievements made under the reintroduction program to date," said Nina Fascione, Vice President of Field Conservation, Defenders of Wildlife. "The new rule potentially jeopardizes wolf recovery efforts just as they were beginning to show some success."

The new rules allow the killing of wolves as a first, rather than last, resort by relaxing non-lethal control efforts. This is in stark contrast to the former rules that allowed lethal wolf control only in limited circumstances (such as continued killing of livestock) and required that non-lethal options first be exhausted. It also allows wolves to be killed if prey populations are declining, even if wolves aren't the cause of the decline.

"After more than a century of extermination efforts in the west, and with illegal wolf killing on the rise, it is irresponsible to severely loosen restrictions on killing wolves," said Suzanne Stone, Defenders' Rocky Mountain Field Representative.

"However, the silver lining is that this is a good opportunity for the states to gain experience in managing wolves," added Stone. "We look forward to working with the states as we have worked with the federal government towards seeking common ground on resolving livestock conflicts and addressing hunting concerns while maintaining healthy wolf populations."

Defenders of Wildlife will continue to review the plan once it is published in the Federal Register this Thursday.

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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and wildlife habitat. With more than 480,000 members and supporters nationwide, Defenders is an effective leader on conservation issues. For timely information on these issues, visit www.defenders.org and subscribe to DENLines, a free e-mail alert newsletter.

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Contact(s):

Deborah Bagocius, (202) 772-0239
William Lutz, (202) 772-0269