Wolves no longer may enjoy federal endangered species protections across most of the West, but their status can best be described in one word: endangered.
A quick summary of recent developments:
Under intense pressure from ranchers, Oregon wildlife officials this week approved the killing of two more wolves for preying on livestock. The move could mean the end of the first Oregon wolf pack to breed successfully since efforts began to restore the predators, and a reduction by nearly one-half in the state’s wolf population, which not long ago had climbed into the 20s.
Earlier this year, Congress approved a budget rider stripping federal endangered species protections from wolves in Montana, Idaho and the eastern one-third of Washington and Oregon. The legislation set an appalling precedent and flew in the face of the Endangered Species Act’s core intent, which is to base species protections on science and to leave such decisions to the wildlife scientists and researchers who work for federal agencies.
Wolves remain on the federal endangered species list in Wyoming, but that’s about to change. Last week, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar agreed to turn wolf management over to the state. That would be fine if Wyoming had a sound wolf management plan, but it doesn’t. Under its one-sided deal with the federal government, the state is obligated to keep no more than 100 of its 340 wolves alive, and wolves can be shot in most parts of the state without a license. Meanwhile, wolf-hunting season already has begun in Idaho and Montana.
It’s worth remembering that wolves roamed the Northern Rockies for centuries until they were exterminated across most of the West, including Oregon. The animals were reintroduced into the region in 1995, and they have made an impressive comeback. There are an estimated 1,700 wolves in Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon. That’s a remarkable resurgence, but still a small number for nearly 400,000 square miles of territory. According to many scientists, it’s insufficient to ensure the survival of a sustainable number of wolves across their traditional ranges.
Ironically, wolves may have the best chance for survival in Oregon, where their numbers soon may be counted on the fingers of two hands.
Unlike other Western states, Oregon has had a solid wolf management plan in place for more than six years. The plan was the result of years of negotiations by a coalition of scientists, economists, conservationists, ranchers and hunters. It calls for a gradual reintroduction of wolves, with the eventual goal of four breeding pairs in both the western and eastern parts of the state.
Under Oregon’s plan, wolves can be killed when they’ve damaged livestock. And earlier this year, the Legislature plugged a gaping hole in the plan when it approved a bill that compensated ranchers for livestock losses.
Now, state wildlife officials face the difficult challenge of remaining steady and hewing to the management plan while resisting pressure from ranchers, most of whom opposed the reintroduction of wolves, to issue more kill orders than is necessary.
Meanwhile, environmentalists should accept the necessity of occasional wolf kills under the state’s management plan. They also should remember that the recovery of wolves in a state where they didn’t even exist two decades ago is a long-term endeavour, and one that will require patience, trust and cooperation from all involved.
As for wolves throughout the rest of the West, it falls to the federal government to hold Idaho, Montana and soon, Wyoming, to the terms of their management plans and to be prepared, if necessary, to restore federal protections.
