Killing to begin.

More than 30 years of protection under the Endangered Species Act has allowed wolves to regain their natural place on the Northern Rockies’ landscape.

But on February 21, 2008, the US Fish and Wildlife Service released its final rule delisting Northern Rockies wolves from the endangered species list, effective in late March 2008, leaving wolf management in the hands of state agencies.

Read Feb. 21, 2008 Press Release.
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Unfortunately, Idaho and Wyoming have stated their intention to kill the majority of wolves living within their borders. Even Montana’s more balanced plan still threatens that state’s wolf population. Read our fact sheet about the dangers that delisting poses for wolves.

The delisting closely mirrors the proposal published by US Fish and Wildlife on February 9, 2007. Defenders opposed the proposal to remove federal protections for the Northern Rockies wolf population (see our comments to the FWS) and so do important members of Congress (see Dec. 19, 2007 Congressional letter).

Management plans put forth by the states of Idaho and Wyoming will put wolves at grave risk, and do not guarantee the long-term survival of the species. Read more background about proposed wolf management in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

Defenders of Wildlife recently joined with the Natural Resources Defense Council in petitioning FWS to develop a national recovery plan for wolves in the Unites States, with regional recovery goals aimed at supporting sustainable populations of wolves in the northern Rockies, the northeast and the southwest.

What you can do:
Make your voice heard.
http://www.defenders.org/index.php