Defenders' Experts
Wolves and the Endangered Species Act
In 1973, gray and red wolves were two of the first species placed under federal protections by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under these protections, wolf populations have reestablished in portions of the lower 48 states with gray wolves in the northern Rockies and Great Lakes, Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest and red wolves in the Southeast.
More on the Impact of the Endangered Species Act
Defenders’ Petitions to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Explore Wolf Restoration
Although wolves are making a comeback in portions of the lower 48 states, wolf restoration should continue to be considered in areas of suitable habitat from which they are still absent: the Northeast, southern Rockies and Pacific Northwest.
Defenders has submitted four petitions, which present the many
factors that support potential wolf restoration in these areas, to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
- Gray Wolf National Recovery Plan Petition
- Southern Rocky Mountains DPS Petition
- Western Washington DPS Petition
- Northeastern DPS Petition
- Northern California / Southwestern Oregon DPS Petition
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