Federal Judge Restores Protections To Gray Wolf Populations

A federal judge from Oakland, California has just made a ruling to restore federal protections to Gray wolf populations across the nation. With wolf numbers at an all-time high, some groups including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are voicing their opposition to the ruling. Meanwhile, environmental groups are calling for more Endangered Species Act protections.

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“Scientists, biologists and professional wildlife managers agree that wolf populations are stable and growing,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “As such, they should remain under the umbrella of state management since state wildlife agencies successfully manage all other wildlife in line with the North American Wildlife Conservation Model through regulated hunting and trapping.”

Federal Judge Restores Protections To Gray Wolf Populations

In 2011 and in 2020, under the Obama and Trump administrations, the Gray Wolf’s protections were removed from the Endangered Species Act. Considered by those in the scientific community to be a recovered species, state and local governments find themselves frustrated. States want regulations to fall on their plate. Wolf populations have reached record highs in some states. In Idaho alone, wolves are 900 percent above minimum recovery levels. Estimates put gray wolf numbers at around 70,000 just in Canada and Alaska. Established packs have been confirmed in both California and Colorado.

To learn more about why the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation opposes these restored federal protections, head over to their website. If you’d like to see even more photo and video content, follow them on their social media pages. There you will also find updates on new hunting regulations. You can find the RMEF on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Where do you fall on the issue?