The United States Fish & Wildlife Service has announced their proposal to delist all grey wolves from the endangered species list. Due to the recent federal government shutdown, the public comment period has now been extended to December 17, 2013. The docket number is FWS-HQ-ES-2013-0073-0001. Comments can be submitted here.
The proposed rule would strip the remaining federal protection of grey wolves, and instead, turn management over to the states. The Mexican grey wolf, however, may become listed as a separate subspecies and receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, under this proposal.
In 2012-2013, approximately 1,400 wolves have been killed in states where federal protections have been previously removed. Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin currently have sanctioned wolf hunting and/or trapping seasons.
Below are talking points to consider in your comment:
- Wolf recovery is incomplete and delisting is premature.
- Wolf delisting is being driven by politics, not by science.
- Wolves currently occupy 5% of their historic range.
- State management is being driven by economics and special interest groups.
- Wolves should be allowed to fulfill their ecological niche as apex predators.
- American taxpayer has invested tens of millions of dollars in wolf recovery.
There are four upcoming public hearings scheduled:
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November 19, 2013, 6:00 – 8:30pm, Paramount Theatre, 1621 Glenarm Place, Denver, Colorado.
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November 20, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00pm, Embassy Suites Sandia Room, 1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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November 22, 2013, 6:00 – 8:30pm, Marriot Courtyard Sacramento Cal Expo, Golden State Ballroom, 1782 Tribute Road, Sacramento, California.
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December 3, 2013, 6:00 – 8:30pm, Hon-Dah Conference Center, 777 Highway 260, Pinetop, Arizona.
For further background:
Read a letter from scientists sent to Secretary Interior Sally Jewell expressing concerns over the proposed rule.
Click here to read an editorial in the New York Times on the proposed rule.
Click here to read Minnesota’s wolves needed for ecological balance.