poetrychic

BILLINGS, Mont. - 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.

Wolves to be removed from species list - Yahoo! News

very bittersweet...at first i was excited by the dramatic increase of the wolf population, then felt the crushing blow as i read the words "the loss of federal protection...allowing hunters"

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"it was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation, yes we can!"

The_Heretic

The ugly fact is there's no justification for taking them off the list. Their recovery is nowhere near a point that would ensure their survival without federal protection.

I'd have Whitey McFang comment, but he's currently establishing a restraining order against all ranchers and anyone wearing bright orange.

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John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill."

jowey

Does a population of 1,500 wolves provide enough genetic diversity to ensure survival of the species in the region to avoid inbreeding problems ?

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The_Heretic

Not even close. You'd need tens of thousands, particularly with the botlenecking event that took place when wolves were massacred wholesale up until the 1960's.

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John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill."

poetrychic

i posted this with you in mind...i don't think they should be removed either...it's great the numbers are increasing, but come this summer, they are going to be obliterated again...it pisses me off and we're going to be right back where we started

__________________
"it was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation, yes we can!"

The_Heretic

We'll see about that. It may be six to eight months of carnage, but come 2009 that shit'll stop quick, fast and in a hurry.

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John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill."

poetrychic

6 to 8 months of carnage can bring about terrible devastation...i'm already in the process of composing my letters, hopefully the lawsuit and some strongly worded correspondence can at least put a stay on their execution

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"it was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation, yes we can!"

The_Heretic

Personally, I'd like to go a little further. Find anyone taking shots at my bros and whoopin' their dumb redneck asses. but that's a lotta two-fisted regulation for one guy to do.

So I compensate by contributing to organizations working to preserve the wolf and lobby on their preservation.

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John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill."

poetrychic

i hear ya...my bank has these accounts called "my expressions", several of them are charities, when you use your debit card the bank donates to the charity on your behalf...the more you use it, the more they donate...

i have the defenders of wildlife:

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"it was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation, yes we can!"

The_Heretic

That's one I contribute to. The other focused on wolves specifically... Can't let my brothers hangin'.

__________________

John McCain: "He's in Iraq... with a few centuries to kill."