U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Denies Wyoming's Petition to Remove the Gray Wolf from the Endangered Species List
Wyoming's Wolf Management Plan Authorizing Widespread Wolf Killing at Issue
(7/25/2006) - Washington, DC -- Defenders of Wildlife today applauded a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision to deny Wyoming's request to remove wolves in the state from the endangered species list. Wyoming had petitioned to have wolves in the Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana region declared a separate population and delisted. But the Service, echoing past concerns about Wyoming's wolf-management plan, rejected the petition saying that the state had not put adequate measures in place to ensure the continued recovery of the wolf. The Service has announced its intention to hand over wolf management to Wyoming, Idaho and Montana as soon as Wyoming submits an adequate conservation plan. Defenders of Wildlife shares the Service's concerns over Wyoming's wolf- management plan and is concerned with Idaho's plan, as well."Defenders of Wildlife supports enlisting the help of the states with wolf management where appropriate," said Defenders of Wildlife President Rodger Schlickeisen. "But Wyoming's wolf- management plan to nearly eliminate restrictions on killing wolves in the state could jeopardize the future of the wolf in the region.
"Many states such as Montana manage their wolf populations well with a conservation-oriented state plan. Idaho and Wyoming can easily join these states if they focus more on wolf conservation than on appeasing anti-wolf extremists, " said Schlickeisen. "A balanced plan that protects ranchers and livestock, while ensuring the continued recovery of the gray wolf is easily achievable."
Defenders pointed out that while claims are made that wolves take a heavy toll on livestock producers federal statistics show that more livestock are lost to domestic dogs than to wolves. Defenders of Wildlife also operates 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 for Defenders.
"It is important that Fish and Wildlife Service make it clear to states wishing to take over management of that plans focused on killing wolves are inadequate," said Stone. "The Fish and Wildlife Service made the right decision today, and we hope today's action sets a precedent for future decisions."
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