Legal Action Against Federal Decision
Six conservation groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), challenging the recent decision not to protect wolves in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountain region under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The lawsuit was filed on July 2 in U.S. District Court in Missoula, Montana.
Background on the Decision
In February, the FWS rejected requests from conservationists to restore endangered species protections for wolves in the region, concluding that the wolves were not in danger of extinction and that state-managed hunting programs were sufficient to control their populations. The agency also announced plans to develop a national recovery plan for wolves, targeted for completion by December 2025.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that the FWS violated the ESA by not properly analyzing the threats to wolf populations and failing to rely on the best available science. The conservation groups argue that state management programs in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming are too lenient and allow excessive killing of wolves.
State Management Programs Under Scrutiny
The lawsuit criticizes the aggressive wolf management policies in Montana and Idaho, which plan to significantly reduce wolf numbers. It also highlights an incident in Wyoming where a man killed a wolf using a snowmobile and received only a $250 fine. The groups claim such incidents indicate a broader issue with state-level management and enforcement.
Historical Context and Current Status
Wolves have faced off-and-on protection under the ESA since they were first listed in 1974. After successful reintroduction efforts in Yellowstone National Park and Idaho in the mid-1990s, they were delisted in the northern Rockies in 2017. Currently, an estimated 2,800 wolves inhabit seven states, including parts of California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
