Wolf Weekly Wrap-up

Wyoming delisting – As anticipated, the Interior Department continues to move forward with its delisting of wolves in Wyoming. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a proposed delisting rule Tuesday that essentially endorses a state management plan that allows wolves to be treated as unwanted vermin across nearly 90 percent of the state. That’s no way to treat an iconic species that was essentially extinct in the region just 15 years ago. Read our full press release here and coverage in the Idaho Statesman, including a quote from Defenders President Jamie Rappaport Clark:

“The proposed delisting rule effectively endorses a state management plan that permits unmanaged wolf killing across the vast majority of the state, and it only perpetuates the notion that wolves are unwanted predators.”

 

Enviros file suit to stop Oregon wolf removal – The situation seems to be going from bad to worse in Oregon. Two weeks ago, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that they would be removing two members of the Imnaha pack for repeated depredations. Now, three environmental groups have filed suit to stop the removals and were granted a temporary reprieve by the court until the case can be heard. This is great news that the wolves may not be killed, though we remain concerned that the move will undermine Oregon’s wolf plan over the long run and erode some of the trust we’ve started to build within the ranching community. ODFW biologists have worked hard to protect this pack over the years and cannot be blamed for following the state’s plan and targeting wolves for removal after repeatedly killing livestock on ranchlands. More importantly, the long-term success of wolf recovery in the region will rely upon social tolerance and reducing conflicts, not just keeping wolves alive as long as possible.