Western Gray Wolves

Removal from the Endangered Species List may be coming soon.

Sep 26, 2007

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service must decide whether or not to remove the controversial gray wolf from federal protections in the northern Rocky Mountains.

Now Seeking Public Comments

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently accepting public comments on removing the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List. The comment period ends October 11, 2007. Whether in opposition to or for the listing removal, opinions and comments must be voiced before that final decision is made.

A Overview of the Gray Wolf Controversy

Gray wolves once roamed through most of North America. By the 1930’s, gray wolves had been almost completely eliminated from the lower 48 states and were completely eliminated from Yellowstone National Park. The public had long been misguided by myths and fears about wolves but science continues to educate against misinformation. Livestock loss has been the largest factor in the conflict between humans and wolves. Ranchers need to protect investments and make a living. Wolves need territory and food to survive. Although livestock is not the main staple of the wolf’s diet, sometimes a wolf will feed on livestock if the opportunity presents itself. The majority of wolves only kill what is necessary for survival. However, there have been a handful of cases opposing that fact. Historically, the preferred methods to the wolf problem was to shoot or poison them. Currently, various non-lethal methods of management are also being implement, many experimentally, to minimize the loss of livestock. Some non-lethal alternatives include: electric fencing, guard dogs, increased patrol of rangeland, removing dead cattle before wolves have a chance to come into that area looking for a meal, and showing livestock owners how to track wolves with the same technology scientists use. Any single, final resolution to this problem is unlikely.

Since reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, the gray wolf population has currently exceeded expectations. Because the gray wolf is a keystone species, reintroduction has also revitalized the Northern Rockies ecosystem, especially in Yellowstone and parts of Idaho. The National Park Service defines keystone species as “a species that has a key role in an ecosystem, affecting many other species, and whose removal leads to a series of extinctions within the ecosystem”. The wolf is a top predator so its effect on an ecosystem is amazing and complex. Ravens accompany wolves to kills and even to play. Grizzlies often take over wolf-killed carcasses shortly after wolves expected to get a decent meal. So, wolves make life a bit easier on bears. Wolves and bears have been documented playing together. Wolves also effect trees and shrubs through their prey populations such as elk.

Sparks Fly Over State Management Plans

Those in opposition to removing the gray wolf from the list are concerned about Idaho's and Wyoming’s individual state management plans. Both plans call for eliminating most of the current wolf populations within those states to the bare minimum allowable numbers. Aerial gunning plans also add to the controversy along with allowing wolves to be killed before the species is removed from the Endangered Species List. Montana’s plan was deemed acceptable.

The public of the United States spoke up in acceptance when wolf reintroduction was being considered for Yellowstone not so many years ago. Perhaps the public majority’s views have changed. It is once again time for the public to speak up on the fate of gray wolves.

National Park Service on Wolf Reintroduction

EPA’s Federal Register Document (with comment links and addresses)