The federal government’s decision to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species is grounded in sound science and achieves long-term management objectives for the species, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership announced today. “The restoration of the gray wolf is a conservation success story, and the federal government made the right decision in delisting the species – a decision that is based in sound science and achieves long-term goals for wolf management,” said TRCP President and CEO Whit Fosburgh.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe cited the species’ successful recovery following decades of restoration efforts. Wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming already are managed by individual states, with the Wyoming population being delisted last summer. Federal protections will remain for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in the southwestern United States.
“The time has come to close the book on federal involvement in management of the gray wolf – and to turn over this management to state wildlife professionals,” continued Fosburgh. “We support the administration’s decision to advance science-based, responsible wildlife management that speaks to the values of sportsmen across the nation.”
The government’s proposal will be subject to a public comment period. A final decision will be made within a year.
Read the announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Inspired by the legacy of Theodore Roosevelt, the TRCP is a coalition of organizations
and grassroots partners working together to preserve the traditions
of hunting and fishing.