Feds Authorize Gray Wolf Review Ranchers See As Unnecessary

Gray wolf
Gray wolf
(USF&WS)

Ranchers and environmentalists are again debating policy regarding gray wolves. On Wednesday the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will conduct a 12-month status review to determine whether or not to issue a designation for the gray wolf in western North America under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

That announcement comes after the government removed federal protections for wolves in the final months of the Trump administration. A resurgence of wolf populations in many areas in recent years was the result of decades of efforts to rebuild wolf populations and prompted the lifting of safeguards. The delisting of gray wolves from the ESA means jurisdiction for wolf management returned to each state.

Environmental groups, however, objected and petitioned the Biden administration to restore the Endangered Species Act protections that Trump removed. While the USF&WS announced the review, it stopped short of granting a request to impose emergency protections for wolves.

Environmentalists are concerned as states such as Idaho and Montana have passed laws in recent years that greatly expand the trapping and hunting of wolves, with Idaho’s law allowing the killing of up to 90% of the state’s wolf population.

“Anti-wolf policies in Idaho and Montana could wipe out wolves and erase decades of wolf recovery,” Andrea Zaccardi, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity told Courthouse News Service. “We’re glad that federal officials have started a review, but wolves are under the gun now so they need protection right away.”

But the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Land Council (PLC) have a different perspective on wolf policy. The groups issued a statement saying they are “confident” that the review by U.S. F&WS will confirm “what conservation groups, scientists, and ranchers across the West have already observed for years — gray wolves are not endangered.”

"We’re disappointed to see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service move forward with a 12-month status review for the gray wolves in the western United States. It is unacceptable for the Service to continue to be held hostage by groups who want nothing more than to turn the Endangered Species Act into a permanent management tool," said NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover.

"We are confident that the review will confirm what we’ve known to be true for years: gray wolves are recovered and no longer need or meet the requirements for listing under the Endangered Species Act. It is appropriate for the Service to continue to monitor state management of these recovered populations, but we urge them to dedicate resources to species that are truly imperiled. We will continue to defend delisting of these clearly-recovered gray wolf populations."

 

Latest News

AFIA Objects to EPA’s Draft Risk Evaluation of Formaldehyde
AFIA Objects to EPA’s Draft Risk Evaluation of Formaldehyde

The American Feed Industry Association says formaldehyde has been "safely used in the U.S. animal food industry for over 40 years via accurate automated equipment."

Power of Meat Reports Strong Meat Consumption, Evolving Consumer Trends
Power of Meat Reports Strong Meat Consumption, Evolving Consumer Trends

The Meat Institute and FMI-The Food Industry Association released the 19th annual Power of Meat report.

Cattle Imports from Mexico
Cattle Imports from Mexico

Mexico has become one of the major beef import sources for the U.S. as beef trade evolved from simply supplementing deficit beef production in Mexico to bilateral, product specific trade between the two countries.

Markets: Cash Cattle Markets Nearing Historic Highs
Markets: Cash Cattle Markets Nearing Historic Highs

All classes of cattle sold at higher prices for the week and most are at or near record highs. Supplies of all classes remain extremely tight.

International Genetic Solutions Debuts New Informational Resource
International Genetic Solutions Debuts New Informational Resource

International Genetic Solutions (IGS) recently unveiled a new information resource and video platform for important beef industry topics pertinent to producers’ bottom lines.

Sage_Grouse_Booming
Ranchers Urge BLM to Incorporate Latest Science in New Sage Grouse Plans

NCBA and PLC are requesting that BLM significantly extend the comment period deadlines while ranchers and other local stakeholders evaluate these lengthy proposals.