Federal wildlife agency to review status of gray wolves

Agreeing that petitions to remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in the Upper Midwest may have merit, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week it will begin an in-depth review of the species' status. The decision, known as a 90-day finding, is based on scientific information but also includes a public comment period. It comes on the heels of four petitions to remove protection from the gray wolf in the states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The petitions were submitted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and Safari Club International with the National Rifle Association. Several groups, including the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, also expressed intent to sue the agency to allow delisting. The finding responds only to the petitions, according to the agency...more