Published: August 21, 2012
The recovery of the gray wolf in the Rocky Mountain West is one of the
Endangered Species Act’s great success stories. Hunted nearly to
extinction, wolves were reintroduced to the region in the 1990s and have
since staged a remarkable comeback, thanks to federal protections. But
whether this story has a happy ending will depend on the federal
government’s willingness to monitor, and revise if necessary, wolf
management plans it has agreed to in Idaho and Montana and is about to
strike with Wyoming.
Wolves in Montana and Idaho lost their endangered species status last
year. Interior had concluded that both states had developed management
plans that would keep wolf populations at healthy levels.
The delisting has led to the death of hundreds of wolves in sanctioned
hunts. But at least Montana and Idaho established limits on hunting
seasons and on the number of wolves that can be taken across the entire
state. In Wyoming, by contrast, wolves in four-fifths of the state will
be essentially treated as vermin that can be killed at any time, and for
almost any reason.
Interior says not to worry. Most of Wyoming’s wolves are in the state’s
northwest corner, it points out, and can be shot only during a defined
hunting season. Further, the state has agreed not to reduce the
statewide population below 150 wolves and 15 breeding pairs.
This is a more protective plan than Wyoming’s politicians, ranchers and
hunters wanted a year ago. But whether it’s enough to guarantee a
sustainable population is far from clear. Interior has promised to
review its deals with Montana and Idaho after five years. It must demand
the same of Wyoming. The question there is whether, after five years,
there will be any wolves left to review.
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