U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service denies federal protections for Northern Rockies gray wolves

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) denied a petition to restore federal protections for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies. This decision allows several states to continue relentless efforts to eradicate the species.

In light of dangerous wolf management regimes in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, FWS did not properly apply the best available science and Endangered Species Act requirements in evaluating the threat posed by state mandates aimed at reducing wolves to absolute bare minimum populations.

Current wolf management in the region allows snaring, baiting, night shooting, use of high-tech night vision equipment, high bag limits, nearly year-round hunting seasons, and other means to severely limit wolf populations. In addition, the states have implemented an 1800s-style bounty "reimbursement" system for killing wolves.

In response, Nick Gevock, Sierra Club’s Northern Rockies field organizer, released the following statement:

“This decision says that it’s okay for states to manage for bare minimum numbers of wolves, and to use virtually any means to kill as many as possible in what amounts to an 1800s-era eradication effort. We’re not going to stand by and allow Northern Rockies states to push their radical agenda and ignore the American people who want healthy, abundant wildlife on our public lands and have a healthy ecosystem that is in balance. FWS is completely missing how disgraceful anti-carnivore fervor is reversing conservation gains in this region. We need FWS to do better and Montana, Idaho and Wyoming need to get into the 21st century and work to conserve wolves in an ethical, science-based manner."