Gray Wolves Want to be Unlisted from Endangered Species by the New Administration

Gray Wolves Want to be Unlisted from Endangered Species by the New Administration

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the removal of the gray wolf from the endangered species list. This would allow states in the Lower 48 to lawfully hunt populations of the gray wolf, and the government officials are looking into it.

Gray Wolves - one of our nation’s great conservation successes

According to the spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the recovery of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is one of our nation’s great conservation successes.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is bringing the proposal to the Federal Register this month. Once published, officials will entertain public comments that usually lasts a few weeks, before passing anything into law.

Gray Wolves were labeled endangered

Back in 1978, gray wolves were labeled endangered with only 1,000 population in the United States. Since then, they have increased to more than 5,000 across the country. However, for ranchers and farmers, these wolves are considered a threat to their livestock. 

Although the numbers are a good sign, gray wolves have not fully recovered in all of the areas it used to roam. According to the conversationalists, in some locations, the numbers are so small that removing the hunting ban could have disastrous effects on populations.

Gray Wolves to be lifted from endangered species status

Jamie Rappaport Clark, former head of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, once the gray wolves are lifted from endangered species status, states will not treat them the same way as other species. Hence, additional protection that these wolves will not be mass hunted is being pursued by Clark. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not responded yet from the criticisms of removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list. The law is still unclear when it will be put in place if they decided to move forward with the proposal.

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