I received a news release today from U.S. Fish & Wildlife that has been long overdue.
Interior Department Removes Northern Rocky Mountain Wolves from Endangered Species List is the title and it starts like this:
The gray wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountains is thriving and no longer requires the protection of the Endangered Species Act, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett announced today. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will remove the species from the federal list of threatened and endangered species.
“The wolf population in the Northern Rockies has far exceeded its recovery goal and continues to expand its size and range. States, tribes, conservation groups, federal agencies and citizens of both regions can be proud of their roles in this remarkable conservation success story,” said Scarlett, noting that there are currently more than 1,500 wolves and at least 100 breeding pairs in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
To say the wolves have “exceeded” goals is a bit of an understatement.
Excerpt:
The minimum recovery goal for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains was set at a minimum of 30 breeding pairs (a breeding pair represents a successfully reproducing wolf pack) and a minimum of 300 individual wolves for at least three consecutive years. This goal was achieved in 2002, and the wolf population has expanded in size and range every year since.
They’ve also expanded their impacts. Take, for instance, information from a news release I received from Idaho Fish and Game about a month ago concerning the wolves located within Idaho.
Excerpt:
Federal agents confirmed wolves killed 52 cattle, 170 sheep and six dogs.
The activities of these critters put them in the crosshairs a few times, including those of the Feds.
Excerpt:
A total of 76 wolves were confirmed dead – 43 killed by federal predator control actions, seven by ranchers, and 26 died of other causes.
It’s good to know that our tax dollars are hard at work!
Oh, and in regard to all the stories about wolves only taking the sick and weak from our wildlife populations:
Excerpt:
Meanwhile, research in Yellowstone National Park shows that early winter wolf predation fell back into its typical pattern of nearly all elk. Kills were about 40 percent calves, 40 percent bulls, and 20 percent old cows.
At least it is comforting to know that the states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Wisconsin are all considering trophy hunting seasons in the not-so-distant future.
Now that the states are finally going to be given control, some wolf management might actually take place…
