For Immediate Release
CONTACT:
David Gaillard, Predator Conservation Alliance (406) 587-3389
Craig Gehrke, The Wilderness Society 208-343-8153, ext. 11
February 28, 2000
GROUPS PROTEST LOWERING WOLF RECOVERY GOALS
Bozeman, MT - Twenty-eight conservation groups have allied against a proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to reduce wolf recovery goals in the northern Rocky Mountains. Groups from the northern Rockies region and nationwide co-signed a letter to FWS Director Jamie Clark on Friday protesting any weakening of the wolf recovery plan, implemented in 1987. The letter concludes, "These proposed changes to the wolf recovery program in mid-course are a serious matter that must be rectified as the apparent new direction is contrary to good science, the law, and the public interest."
The changes have not yet been officially proposed, but the FWS has made repeated public announcements about upcoming changes that would speed up the "de-listing" of wolves, or removal of their federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. A written proposal is expected from the agency sometime this spring.
"The science is crystal clear that any wolf population with fewer than ten breeding pairs is at tremendous risk, yet the Fish and Wildlife Service now proposes to consider these populations "recovered?'" said Craig Gehrke of The Wilderness Society.
"Frankly, we are shocked at the behavior of the Fish and Wildlife Service on this issue," said David Gaillard of Bozeman, Montana-based Predator Conservation Alliance. "It is downright reckless to lower the goalposts in mid-game when what is at stake is the successful restoration of wolves to the northern Rockies," he added..
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