Gray Wolf Back On The List

After a brief stint on the "threatened list", the gray wolf has been placed back on the endangered species list. The gray wolf of the greater Yellowstone area (northern Rocky Mountains) was removed from the endangered species list in March, making this animal fair game for hunters. The July ruling of Judge Donald W. Molloy of the Federal District Court has placed the animal back under the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

Environmental groups including Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club sued the Interior Department and the Fish and Wildlife Service on behalf of the threatened species. On the defense of the government, the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, along with the National Rifle Association (NRA) stated their case as well. The environmental groups claimed that if hunting was to be allowed in this fall, there was a possibility of irreparable harm that could be done to the species.

Judge Molloy said the decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service in March, to approve Wyoming’s plans for maintaining just eight breeding pairs instead of the 15 the federal government once required was “problematic.” 

“This is great news for wolves. All three states had plans to allow hunts this fall, 500 wolves were scheduled to be killed.” said Earthjustice lawyer, Doug Honnold.

Eric Keszler, spokesman for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department said, “Obviously we are disappointed in the decision." He also went on to say, "We’re confident that Wyoming’s wolf management plan is adequate to maintaining a recovered wolf population in the state.”

There is still a chance for this ruling to be reversed as this was a preliminary injunction, but Judge Molloy showed serious reservations about the Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to remove endangered species protections for the wolves.

source:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/19wolves.html?ref=environm ent