Nicolas Lenze 02.21.22
Federal protections to Gray wolf populations under the Endangered Species Act were recently renewed by a federal judge in Oakland, California. Wolf numbers have been at an all-time high for some time. Groups like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are standing up to oppose the ruling.
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“Scientists, biologists and professional wildlife managers agree that wolf populations are stable and growing,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “As such, they should remain under the umbrella of state management since state wildlife agencies successfully manage all other wildlife in line with the North American Wildlife Conservation Model through regulated hunting and trapping.”
Federal Judge Restores Protections To Gray Wolf Populations
Under the Obama and Trump administrations, the Gray Wolf’s federally protected status was removed. Both times, judges returned the animal to the list of protected animals under the Endangered Species Act. Considered to be a recovered species by those in the scientific community, Gray Wolf populations are booming. The wolves in Idaho are 900 percent above the minimum recovery levels. There are estimates that put Gray Wolf numbers at around 70,000 just in Canada and Alaska and established packs have been confirmed in both California and Colorado. State and local governments find themselves frustrated, wanting regulations of the animals to be up to them.
To learn more about the issue and see why the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation opposes the federal protections, head over to their website. If you’d like to see more content from RMEF, follow them on their social media pages. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Feel free to tell us what you think about the issue.
