A glance at the wolf-management issues
By The Associated Press Friday, February 27, 2004
A look at the key issues in the Legislature’s debate over wolf management.
THE ISSUE: Last month, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service rejected Wyoming’s wolf-management plan, which has likely delayed removal of the animal from the federal Endangered Species List. Montana and Idaho’s plans have been approved.
BACKGROUND: Wolves were exterminated from Wyoming in the early 1900s because of their attacks on livestock. The federal government, in 1995 and 1996, reintroduced the species to Yellowstone National Park. There are now at 754 wolves in the three surrounding states, including 235 in Wyoming. Ranchers, hunters and outfitters are concerned that wolf attacks on livestock and wildlife will continue to grow without a state plan allowing flexibility to kill problem wolves.
FEDS’ POSITION: The Fish and Wildlife Service objects to Wyoming’s “dual classification” system in which wolves would be treated as trophy game and subject to regulated hunting in areas near Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks but classified as predators — subject to little regulation — outside northwest Wyoming. The agency does not believe the plan is defensible should there be a court challenge.
STATE’S POSITION: Wyoming officials, including many lawmakers, believe the dual system would allow wolves to be more easily killed in areas away from northwest Wyoming. Gov. Dave Freudenthal and others leaning toward litigation also say federal rejection was more the result of politics than science, since a review panel consisting of a dozen wildlife experts largely agreed the state’s plan would sustain a viable wolf population.
LEGISLATION: Under HB111, passed 44-14 by the House on Wednesday, Wyoming would maintain at least seven wolf packs outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks under the dual classification system. The measure conforms a law passed last year with the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission’s plan and bolsters the state’s position if a legal challenge is mounted by the state against the federal government.
NEXT: The bill will be introduced in the Senate and referred to a committee.