The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to remove gray wolves from the list of endangered species. That decision is being contested by Michigan’s Attorney General on the basis of the decision being contrary to the Endangered Species Act. The decision is based on Michigan’s success in recovering the species.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, “By delisting the gray wolf nationwide, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service abandoned its obligation to protect endangered gray wolves wherever they are found.”
Nessel and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a brief in a lawsuit against the federal agency. The three points in the brief are that the Fish and Wildlife Service must look at the wolves’ current range, analyze the factors for delisting based on the actual location of the wolves, and not make decisions that affect orphan wolf populations that would otherwise be protected.
Nessel said, “The facts are clear here: the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can only use Michigan’s successes in Michigan, not nationwide. Where wolves remain endangered, they must remain listed.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
