What does it mean for WA?
I was a babe in the womb when the Endangered Species Act was enacted, and I probably couldn't even say "woofie" when the gray wolf--having been hunted and harassed to near extinction in most of the contiguous US--was listed for protection under the ESA. For the past 35 years, conservation efforts have focused on increasing not only the numbers but the genetic diversity of wolf populations in the US. Today, the feds claimed a victory for the ESA when wolves in the Great Lakes and parts of the northern Rockies were delisted, removed from federal protections. Not everyone agrees that this move is scientifically appropriate or that wolves will be safe under state plans, but, honestly, arguments aside, I just want to know what delisting means for those adorable pups from the Lookout Pack!
The Lookout Pack, WA's first documented wolf pack is my focus (again...I know, I am obsessed) as wolves are delisted from the ESA today.
While "delisting" sounds a lot like being uninvited from a party, it in fact indicates a shift from federal to state laws. Today, management of nearly 1,300 wolves falls back to state wildlife agencies in parts of Washington, Montana, and Idaho. Each state is required to have federally approved plans for management, and some of these include allowing hunting wolves down to almost 1/3 of their present population. Wyoming's 300 wolves, while considered part of the delisted northern Rockies population, will remain protected under the ESA because the feds rejected the state plan as inadequate.
Yet here in Washington, a river makes all the difference. The northern Rocky Mountain population is defined as ending at the Okanogan River in eastern Washington. According to the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife's wolf page, the eastern third of WA was included "based on distances that wolves disperse, measured by relocations of radio-collared wolves." Any wolves east of this line are no longer protected on the federal list.
Yes, wolves do wander through the eastern third of Washington, but as of yet no packs have been documented. The state currently considers wolves an endangered species, so even these delisted few remain protected under state law. Conservation Northwest participated in the process to draft a state wolf management plan, and we will keep you posted once it is open for public comment. Your voice in this process will ensure balance for the wolves and people that rely on the land.
West of the river, wolves remain protected under the Endangered Species Act. Now for the geography portion of our lesson: the Methow Valley, where the Lookout Pack howls, is west of the river. The pups remain federally protected and will be allowed to thrive and grow (despite alleged poaching of at least one pup this winter).
Phew. This is good news for the Lookout Pack! And Mitch tweets that the alpha female in the pack may be pregnant again, so I'll be on the lookout for more yelps in the woods and too-cute-for-words pups wandering through our wild places!
[Speak up for the Lookout Pack] [WesternWolves.org-learn the facts, ignore the spin]
2010 update:
There is a second pack in eastern Washington now, and it does fall under the "distinct population segment" of the Rocky Mountain wolves. We are currently working hard to make sure our state plan will protect the biological needs of this and all wolf packs in Washington. Keep tuned to our efforts by signing up for enews and action alerts.
