Grey Wolf Recovery In Washington State

I'm Susan Allen. The gray wolf is clearly recovered, but remains listed as endangered in the majority of Washington state and across the U.S. Last Thursday I was emailed a Congressional Western Caucus video titled This Land is Your Land: On The Ground Conservation highlighting the recovery of the gray wolf in Washington's 4th congressional district, where 30 percent is owned or managed by the federal government.

VIDEO:"In 2013, the Fish and Wildlife service proposed to remove the gray wolf from the endangered list saying the species was "widespread," "stable," and that "no substantial evidence" suggests that gray wolves are at "risk of extinction". This would have put the wolf in the capable hands of state wildlife managers.

"In spite of the gray wolf's recovery, special interest groups who have profited from suing the government fought the delisting. The Obama Administration buckled under the political pressure and abandoned the rule.

"The gray wolf is thriving in Washington. Currently there are 90 wolves in 21 packs.

"Though the wolf is clearly recovered, it has been returned to state management in only one-third of the state.

The federal government drew this arbitrary line, which has created conflicts between wolves and livestock owners, and undermined state efforts to conserve the wolf. Western Caucus stated that need the endangered species act needs to be updated so that boots on the ground conservation can strike the careful balance between the needs of people and wildlife. Visit this report on aginfo.net for a link to the video

https://youtu.be/Fx3AwHQ7vrM.