The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission today announced its decision to maintain state endangered status for the gray wolf, keeping in place key protections throughout the state.
As part of the Northern Rockies distinct population segment, gray wolves in the eastern third of Washington state are not protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, but are protected by the state’s version of the law. This decision maintains those protections while the state continues to employ its wolf recovery plan, established in 2011.
“Today’s decision provides a sigh of relief for one of our nation’s most iconic animals,” said Colin Reynolds, senior advisor to Defenders of Wildlife’s northwest program. “The Commission has shown that it remains committed to following the science to ensure this keystone species has a full chance at recovery. Now we can focus our efforts on supporting the work of the wolf recovery plan and helping residents learn what this decision means for them.”
Citing the need to meet unmet recovery standards found in the 2011 wolf recovery plan, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission voted 5-4.
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