U.S. Plans To Remove Gray Wolf From Endangered Species List
Delisted? Gary Kramer, USFWSThe controversial predator will lose federal protection in the lower 48 states. America's gray wolves are moving off the endangered species list, the Los Angeles Times has revealed. That means wolves are losing federal protections in the continental U.S. (There is an exception for Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico, the Times reported.) Instead, states will decide to what extent they want to protect Canis lupus. Scientists the Times talked with debated whether the move means wolf numbers have recovered or whether the Fish and Wildlife Service has bowed to pressure from hunters and ranchers, whose livestock wolves kill (though not in very big numbers). Check out the Times story for arguments from both sides, including a northern Rockies Fish and Wildlife Service wolf manager, although the service would not officially comment. Gray wolves can live in a variety of habitats and were once widespread in the...