Wolves in Northeast denied protection again

June 9 - In response to a petition from a group of concerned citizens, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a finding today that because there is not currently a breeding population of wolves in the northeastern United States, the population does not qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act. As a result, a recovery plan will not be developed to bring the species back.

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Without protection, can there ever be a breeding pair?

UPDATE...

The agency determined that a petition submitted by five private citizens did not have enough information for a "reasonable person" to conclude that there were breeding pairs, and thus a "population," in the region, that might need protection.

In addition to requesting protection for the gray wolf, the petitioners asked the agency to "regulate the commerce or taking, and treat as endangered" several animals that resemble the gray wolf, in the same five states. The petitioners asked that coyotes, eastern wolves and hybrids be treated as endangered, presumably so gray wolves will not be affected by people who may think they are disturbing, hurting or killing the non-endangered look-alikes. The Fish and Wildlife Service plans to address this commerce and taking separately, as it is not a petitionable action under the Endangered Species Act.

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One study suggested the Northeast could support a wolf population of 1,200 to 1,800 wolves.

But the biggest question isn’t the biological carrying capacity of the area, but the social carrying capacity.

Just how many wolves would residents of the region put up with?

That question isn’t yet answered, and for now, thanks to the FWS decision, won’t be any time soon.

I, for one, would relish a chance to hear the howl of a pack of wild wolves when sitting by a campfire at night.

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