Removing Northern Rockies Wolves from Endangered Species List Jeopardizes Continued Recovery

Idaho and Wyoming plan massive wolf eradication efforts upon delisting

(01/29/2007) - Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced today a proposal to remove gray wolves in the northern Rockies from the federal endangered species list. The decision would hand wolf management responsibilities over to some states that are more committed to wolf eradication than conservation and would thus jeopardize the continued recovery of the wolf in the region.

"Today should be a day of celebration and recognition of the commitment our nation has made to the recovery of wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains," said Rodger Schlickeisen, president of Defenders of Wildlife. "But instead, we must sound the alarm bells because, with one stroke of a pen, the Bush administration has announced they plan to hand over management of gray wolves to states whose main goal is to exterminate wolves."

Idaho's state wolf management plan lacks sufficient conservation objectives and management strategies, but was approved by the FWS in 2004 anyway. In the past, the Idaho State legislature has called for the eradication of wolves by any means necessary. At a recent rally, Governor Otter declared that once wolves are delisted, Idaho will kill more than 80 percent of the 650 wolves that live in the state today. Otter has proposed leaving just 10 packs, which is even less than the state's plan mandates, and the bare minimum required to keep wolves from being federally re-listed on the endangered species list. The state has already begun planning large scale wolf eradication programs.

"Our country has invested substantial resources into the recovery of wolves in the northern Rocky Mountain region," said Schlickeisen. "The 10 packs should be considered the floor, not the ceiling, by wolf managers in these states. Unfortunately, state wolf managers are being guided by politics not science. In Idaho and Wyoming, that means a large-scale killing of wolves upon delisting, instead of meaningful conservation measures."

Wyoming's plan would allow 16 out of the existing 23 packs of the wolves in the state to be killed on sight. To accomplish this goal, the state would authorize poisoning, trapping and shooting on 90 percent of the wolf's current home range outside the national parks. In 2006, FWS rejected a proposal to delist the entire northern Rockies wolf population because Wyoming's wolf management plan does not offer sufficient safeguards to sustain wolf recovery. However, FWS has succumbed to the state's previously rejected demands and has now proposed to allow Wyoming to manage wolves in the state.

"Delisting the Northern Rockies' wolf population without the proper safeguards to ensure their continued survival is a recipe for disaster," stated Suzanne Asha Stone, northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife. "This administration would be giving up on a great conservation success story and turning back the clocks to a time of reckless and irresponsible wolf control practices."

Before reintroducing wolves in the West, FWS stated that the entire northern Rockies wolf population must be treated as one group and would have to be delisted together. The northern Rockies distinct population segment of wolves includes those in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, as well as parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah, where wolves have yet to return.

"There is still great habitat for wolves in states like Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Utah, but there are no documented wolf populations there yet, and the Fish and Wildlife Service plan fails to provide adequate protection for recolonizing wolves in these areas," said Stone. "Delisting a non-existing population now puts a roadblock in the way of any future wolf restoration in the Pacific Northwest. It is important that the Fish and Wildlife Service provides for the protection of the species as it recolonizes these significant portions of its native range."

Defenders of Wildlife has worked with local and federal agencies to promote wolf recovery in the northern Rockies. The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund supports the use of non-lethal measures to reduce livestock-wolf conflicts. Preventative animal husbandry practices, including use of multiple guard dogs, electric night pens, fladry fencing, task-specific range riders, and other methods have proved remarkably effective. Defenders pioneered the development of many of these techniques in partnership with tribal and federal agencies, and this year Defenders-funded proactive projects resulted in zero known livestock losses to wolves. Additionally, Defenders compensates ranchers 100 percent of the market value for confirmed livestock losses caused by wolves.

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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 500,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on endangered species issues. For more information, visit www.defenders.org or www.idahowolves.org.

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Contact(s):

Suzanne Stone, (208) 424-9385
Amaroq Weiss, (541) 552-9500