Statement on Court Ruling on Wolf Reclassification

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is disappointed with the Courts ruling striking down the rule that downlisted gray wolf populations from endangered to threatened in the Western and Eastern United States. We believe our rule provided for biologically sound management of the core population of wolves in areas where we knew they could thrive as stable, viable populations. We also believe the rule was correct as a matter of law under the Endangered Species Act. We are currently studying the courts opinion and working with the attorneys at the Department of Justice to better understand its implications and determine our future course of action.

-FWS-