Feds Reinstate Wolf Protections in Northern Rockies

Wolf supporters howled in celebration on September 23 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it would toss out its own gray wolf delisting rule in the Northern Rockies and go back to the drawing board. Wolves were removed from the endangered species list in March 2008, and the Sierra Club, along with a dozen other conservation groups, challenged the decision in court this April.

The Club sent out multiple action alerts, generating 6,400 letters and emails to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, and more than 7,000 missives each to the Director of Wyoming Tourism, the President of the Wyoming Chamber of Commerce, and the Director of the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. A University of Montana study found that the presence of wolves generates $40 million a year to the counties surrounding Yellowstone National Park.

In July, Judge Donald Molloy reinstated federal protection for the Northern Rockies gray wolf, agreeing with the Sierra Club's assertion that delisting was premature and inappropriate, and citing inadequate state management plans that allow for indiscriminate killing of wolves. In Wyoming, the state management plan allowed wolves to be shot on sight in 87 percent of the state.

The Fish and Wildlife Service will now open the process up for public comment and review, during which time wolves will be protected under the Endangered Species Act in the Northern Rockies. "We're very pleased the agency has acknowledged that the delisting rule was flawed," says Sierra Club organizer Melanie Stein, above left, with fiance Tim Grayson watching wolves at right. "Now we have another chance to push for responsible, science-based management plans that will allow wolves to prosper in the Northern Rockies."

Wolf photos by Larry Allen. Group photo courtesy of Yellowstone National Park.

Comments

[Linda]

It's about time thr right thing was done. We need to keep up the fight to also save the Alaskan wolves, bears, seals, etc.

[Robert]

I was seriously worried about the wolves being delisted, hearing that they FWS is trying something different is great news for me.

[Celia Burns]

Justice at last for an American national treasure!

[clarisse courcier]

Thank Goodness, I Love wolves and again thank goodness everyone.

[regalaslan]

Thank you all you hard working sierrians, and to many caring people who have fought for the wolves. We have to keep up the info getting ou there to everyone.

[Kim G Butler]

Thank God someone finally got a brain cell! Now what are we to do with Palin in the V.P. slot? The Humane Society of the U.S. has indorsed Barack Obama because of his record benefitting God's creatures and the environment. I hope to see all environmental groups follow their lead.

[Steven Moss]

What about the Alaskan Wolves??
Why cant we stop the killing there ??

[Marilyn L. Read]

If you've never heard the absolute "crys" of a pack of timber wolves at the time of the murder of a member of the pack, you have never heard sorrow! Way to go people, for stopping this slaughter. On to AK!!!

[Kristen Gayoso]

I have been a Republican all my life, BUT
my love for animals always comes first. I was very upset to hear about Sarah Palins hunting and slaughtering of the wolves, bears and moose. I never liked Dick Cheaney and I will not vote for someone like Sarah to have even more power to hurt animals with the passing of absurd bills that pay money for animal parts. (The forearm of the wolf) was just sick! I am not an Obama lover and there are many things I do not care for about him, but I can't see letting Sarah have more power.

[Dave Hornoff]

We also have to continue the fight to make sure the wolves and other endangered species, such as the Polar Bear, all remain protected under the ESA. It is so important to convey to others the need to preserve our National Treasures as one person wrote. As for Sarah Palin more exposure on her horrible stand on wildlife issues is needed. Perhaps she should move to the Middle East and drill baby drill all she wants, but we need to save Alaska!

[Julie Gaines]

Wonderful news for our beloved wolves!I have more Great News...here in Wisconsin our wolves have been relisted once again!

[Judy Reed]

FINALLY, the correct action has been taken -- at least, for now! Thank you for re-listing our wolves. Keep up the good (right) work. Now let's stop the aerial wolf killing in AK!

[suzanne henderson]

Now let us have a human population that is in proportion with the resources we seem to need as a species. The other life forms have been under our control to a fault.