Gray Wolves Removed From Endangered List

Population Surge In Northern Rockies Leads To End Of Protection, Hunts Can Move Forward

(AP)  Gray wolves in the Northern Rockies will be removed from the endangered species list, following a 13-year restoration effort that helped the animal's population soar, federal officials said Thursday.

An estimated 1,500 wolves now roam Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. That represents a dramatic turnaround for a predator that was largely exterminated in the United States in the early 20th century.

"We're confident the wolf has a secure future in the Northern Rocky Mountains," said Interior Assistant Secretary Lyle Laverty in a statement. Federal officials planned a news conference later Thursday.

The loss of federal protection allows the three states to move forward with plans allowing hunters to target the animals, possibly as soon as this fall.

Environmental groups said Thursday they will sue the federal government to keep the animal listed.

"The enduring hostility to wolves still exists," said Earthjustice attorney Doug Honnold, who is preparing the lawsuit. "We're going to have hundreds of wolves killed under state management. It's a sad day for our wolves."

State officials have been eager to gain greater control over managing wolves, which have increasingly preyed on livestock as they expand into new territories.

Since the late 1980s, approximately 700 wolves have been killed by ranchers and state and federal wildlife agents in response to livestock conflicts.

[tucano2]

Only the corporate multinationals and other buddies of Bush want to turn my country into some kind of petting zoo. We''d rather see 100,000 illegal aliens shot and their hides hung up than see one American Grey Wolf killed.

[zertrat]

As a pure-bred mountain westerner tracing back all lines to the 19th century, I''m always amazed by these fake westerners who talk tough like killing wolves is good. If you value your heritage, and you value America, and you value nature, then you would not talk like this. Wolves are part of what makes our part of the world different than the rest. Yes, wolves eat things. We can live with it. What do you want the mountain west to become? A big cleared sheep and cattle farm? yeah, that would be really traditional and have really wholesome values. Give me forests and give me wolves. If you claim to be a westerner and you oppose wolves, then you are a republican caving in to corporate and political hype. You are a traitor.

[rf35]

And don''''t forget the prairie dogs.
We need to put prairie dogs in the lawns of every bleeding heart animal rights activist.
Posted by hawksprings at 12:32 AM : Feb 22, 2008

Actually, I used to have prairie dogs in my back yard when I lived in Colorado. I also like dsj''s idea about wolves in Central Park...that would be a hoot!

P.S. My heart doesn''t bleed, it just works like it should.

[lambofgoth]

You rustics are so cute. Heehawing and all...Just please stop breeding your sister.

[squidly8]

When push comes to shove and one of animal lovers life is on the line, they would resort to a treatment derived with animal research. They may talk a big game but the vast majority would indeed fold when they actually face their mortality.

[gkc99]

"HUMANS, THE OTHER WHITE MEAT. "--Posted by knyghtwolf


If you agree to quit whining about hunters and eating wolf meat, you can murder and cannibilize all you like, to the extent the law allows.

But not to worry, those anti-psychotic meds you should keep on taking weren''t developed by killing cute lil bunnies--so don''t stop your Paxil!!

[brianbwb-2009]

"Could He start unjust wars for His hidden ideology? Could His decisions CHANGE the course for America? Would He change your civil liberties? Last of all would He change your right to vote?" Posted by pilgrimsway

So, since he has done all of these things, are you calling Bush a Muslim?

"Believe me when I say there are no one with hidden agenda%u2019s in this world! If there was a secret radical Muslim in the white house as president what would He CHANGE?" Posted by pilgrimsway

Nothing, if there are no hidden agendas, there could then be no "secret Muslims".

Go back, and tell your boss Karl Rove that he sux, and should be in jail.

[keithle1]

Why don''t we start hunting humans? No one can deny we have an overpopulation problem.

[knyghtwolf]

Be sure that when these "pests" are removed from your precious land or sight or whatever your issue is with animals having a right to life as we do, and a new disease pops up from nature due to an unbalance in the food chain and you are standing there with one thumb up your butte and one in your mouth rotating every five minutes because your family just died a horrible death from something similar to the plagues of other times, feel free to accept the fact I told you so.

[knyghtwolf]

Well gkc99, your day has arrived. When I found out that they used female Chinese gerbil eggs for Avonex for MS injections, I QUIT TAKING THE SHOTS!!! No one lives forever anyway but humans seem to outlive their usefulness more and more every day. When my time comes I will at it as only a blessing from being away from less than animals such as humans. HUMANS, THE OTHER WHITE MEAT.