Last week, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the delisting of the gray wolf species from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) after decades of focused conservation efforts and monitoring. This delisting reflects a successful recovery of the species. Now, state and tribal wildlife management professionals will take over responsibility for management of the gray wolf species in states where populations exist. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will also continue to monitor the species for the next five years to ensure the population continues to thrive.
The decision was made based on the science-based data and analyses gathered from monitoring the species throughout its tenure on the List of Threatened and Endangered Species. Gray wolves were listed under the ESA more than 45 years ago. Currently, the population in the United States exceeds 6,000, significantly exceeding the population goals established when the species was initially listed under the ESA.
For more information on the recovery of the gray wolf, click here.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
