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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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Protections End for Gray Wolf

Wildlife groups say it's too soon to remove animals from endangered list

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(Newser) – The gray wolf has been taken off the endangered species list in a multi-state area of the northern Rocky Mountains, National Geographic reports. "The wolves are back," said an official of the Department of the Interior. Just 66 of the animals were reintroduced to the region in 1996 and there are over 1,500 today. Environmental groups say it's too soon to take away the wolves' protection and believe many will soon be killed by hunters.

The zone affected covers Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of neighboring states, where wolves had been almost completely wiped out before the reintroduction program began. Any wolf beyond the zone will retain its protected status. The return of the predators has been hailed as a conservation success story, despite the wolves' unpopularity with ranchers, and a wildlife group is now arguing that the animals should be brought back to other parts of the US.

The gray wolf (canis lupus). The wolves have greatly increased in number since being reintroduced to the northern Rocky mountains and they are now being taken off the endangered species list.
The gray wolf (canis lupus). The wolves have greatly increased in number since being reintroduced to the northern Rocky mountains and they are now being taken off the endangered species list.   ((c) dobak)
This photo provided by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks shows a gray wolf pup from the Calder Mountain pack along the Montana and Idaho borders west of Troy, Mont. in this August 2005, file photo. Gray wolves in the Northern Rockies are being removed from the endangered...
This photo provided by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks shows a gray wolf pup from the Calder Mountain pack along the Montana and Idaho borders west of Troy, Mont. in this August 2005,...   (Associated Press)
This handout file photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a 130-pound gray wolf as it watches biologists in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo., after being captured and fitted with a radio collar. (AP Photo/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, William Campbell, File)
This handout file photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows a 130-pound gray wolf as it watches biologists in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo., after being captured and fitted with a radio...   (Associated Press)
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1 comment
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Wulfie
Dec 2, 08 1:29 AM CST
Oh honestly. People nowadays should learn what is right for the planet. They destroy everything in their path and bitch about it when the consequence arrives. Wolves are just a part of this Earth, trying to make a living after the humans have wrecked everything. I CAN'T believe they would be that selfish. And after all people have done to get them back. I feel like jumping off this planet right now. Reply
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