Hunting Wolves, Saving Wolves Is the Obama Administration breaking its promise to protect endangered species?

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Wolf advocates strongly oppose the administrations decision saying the three states in the region, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming need a cohesive management plan that allows for a much larger wolf population. "It was very disappointing when Secretary Salazar in the Obama Administration, signed off on this rushed-through Bush administration delisting package for wolves," said Doug Honnold, a lawyer with Earthjustice, who is representing conservation groups challenging the government's decision.



The return of the gray wolf to the northern Rockies is considered to be the most successful wildlife reintroduction project in the history of the 27 year old Endangered Species Act. In 1995 and 1996, 66 gray wolves we relocated from Canada to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho. Today there are more than 1,600 wolves in the region.



For its part the federal government says that just 300 wolves are needed for legitimate recovery in the region. "Wolves are back and there's plenty of them in plenty of places. They're never really going anywhere," said Ed Bangs, the Northern Rockies Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.



More than a dozen conversation groups have sued the Interior Department to return federal protection to the northern Rockies wolves. Some believe the result of this legal debate is a litmus test for the Obama Administration's overall approach to wildlife issues and the Endangered Species Act.



Correction: Our report incorrectly stated Wyoming will manage for a maximum of 150 wolves. The current Wyoming wolf management plan states they will manage for a least 150 wolves.



Related Links



Nature: Clash: Encounters of Bears and Wolves



Defenders of Wildlife: Wolves



Earthjustice: Wolves in Danger



Greater Yellowstone Coalition: Return of the Wolf



National Park Service: Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project



NRDC: Posts about Protecting Wolves



Save Elk: The Facts About Wolves



US Fish & Wildlife Service: Gray Wolf in Northern Rockies with State Wolf Plans







