Comments from government officials and
interest groups following the Obama
administration’s decision to remove gray
wolves in the Great Lakes region from the
federal endangered species list:
— “We now have the ability to kill a wolf
that needs killing. … What we want is a
healthy and sustainable population of
wolves, just like we want a healthy and
sustainable population of other animals in
Michigan.” — Russ Mason, wildlife division
chief, Michigan Department of Natural
Resources.
— “The whole concept of the Endangered
Species Act was to protect endangered
species. And when they stop being
endangered and they start attacking other
animals then you have to bring the balance
back, and that’s what this is about.” — Sen.
Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat.
— “We’re disappointed. We think it’s a
mistake. We believe the wolf has not
recovered. … We strongly oppose any
proposals for a hunting season, trophy
hunting or recreational or sport killing of
wolves.” — Howard Goldman, Minnesota
state director for the Humane Society of the
United States.
— “Wolf recovery in the Midwest has been a
tremendous success, but the job is far
from complete. … Wolves remain
threatened by human intolerance and
persecution. More should be done to help
people live with wolves and increase
tolerance before protections are removed.”
— Collette Adkins Giese, staff attorney,
Center for Biological Diversity.
— “This announcement is a major victory
for sportsmen, conservation and wildlife
management. … This has been a long,
hard-fought battle and is not likely over as
we expect the animal rights lobby to turn to
the courts to stop the delisting. We will be
ready.” — Rob Sexton, senior vice
president, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
Foundation.
— “The successful recovery of wolves in the
western Great Lakes shows that our
nation’s wildlife conservation tools really do
work. … We urge the states to continue
managing wolves in a way that sustains
their essential ecological role while working
proactively with nonlethal measures to
reduce conflicts with livestock and other
animals before they arise.” — Jamie
Rappaport Clark, president, Defenders of
Wildlife.