The Recovery of the Wolf and What's Next
With more than 1,650 wolves, 244 packs, and 110 breeding pairs, the gray wolf population in the northern Rocky Mountains has biologically recovered. As a result, we've proposed to remove the gray wolf population in Wyoming from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.
The proposal to delist wolves in Wyoming hinges upon the State's commitment to a revised wolf management plan, which now contains sufficient protections and safeguards to ensure that wolves never again end up on the list.
The road to recovery hasn't been easy. Many people have worked hard to make sure recovery goals have been met, and we've been happy to see those goals exceeded for eleven straight years.
We understand that there may be an emotional reaction among some wolf advocates to the prospect of wolf hunting under state management. But an examination of this plan, in light of what we know to be true about the wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountains, supports our conclusion that wolves are no longer threatened or endangered in Wyoming and that management should be returned to the state.
I am very much opposed to the position with regard to wolves in Wyoming. I have lived in Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico as well as California. Upon returning to California it struck me how sad it is that Southern California is slowly becoming all concrete. I have seen the deterioration of States with what was once vast wilderness being eaten away with more and more houses, condos and apartments. Our wildlife is being challenged in such great numbers. 1650 wolves in the wild is not a big number. I have discovered people who want to kill these animals do so more for the trophy than for sound management practices. I was raised on a cattle ranch in NM so I appreciate the position of ranchers protecting their animals, but it is important future generation are able to enjoy all animals, including wolves. I urge you to reconsider your plan regarding Wyoming and its management of the wolf, it will not be the best interest of the animal. Can't we keep just a little of what was once wild.
