NRDC Statement On The Reopening of Wolf Delisting in the Northern Rocky Mountains

LIVINGSTON, MONTANA (October 24, 2008) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it would reopen public comment on a proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protections from the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The proposal is similar to one that was struck down by a federal judge earlier this year. This new proposal would remove Endangered Species Act protections throughout the region, except for the wolves in the state of Wyoming (where wolves would retain federal protections).

The following is a statement from Louisa Willcox, senior wildlife advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“This new proposal does little to address the fundamental problem of removing Endangered Species Act protections from wolves in the Northern Rockies --- there simply aren't enough wolves yet. It’s frustrating to be so close to a sustainable population in the region and then to have the Bush Administration push a slipshod proposal undoing this great conservation success story in the 11th hour."