Position on wolf protection sought
Various groups press Oregon wildlife agency for official stand
Associated Press
PORTLAND _ Nine conservation groups and a coalition of ranchers and
farmers have filed competing petitions with the Oregon Fish and Wildlife
Commission to force an official stand on protection for wolves.
While Idaho, Montana and Wyoming continue preparing to assume state
management of federally protected wolves in the Northern Rockies, the
Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Farm Bureau Federation and State Grange
asked the state commission to remove wolves from the state endangered
species list. They say the predators exterminated decades ago are
essentially extinct and do not warrant protection.
The conservation groups want the commission to take the first steps
mandated by the state Endangered Species Act to return wolves to Oregon.
The commission has declined to take a position so far although Chairman
John Esler said the state must eventually decide how to handle the animals
as they spread from reintroduction zones to other parts of the West.
But nothing done in Oregon would have any immediate effect since wolves
remain protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.
Three wolves are known to have entered Oregon since they were reintroduced
in central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park in 1995 and 1996 under a
federal recovery program. One was illegally shot, the other struck by a
car and the third recaptured and returned to Idaho.
Biologists say more wolves may be roaming remote parts of the state
undetected.
“Failure to take action will result not only in the continued violation of
the Oregon ESA, but also in continued dereliction for the recovery
potential of this endangered species,” the conservation group petition
declared.
It was submitted by the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Hells Canyon
Preservation Council, Humane Society of the United States and six other
groups.
On the other side, the Oregon Association of Hunters opposes wolf
reintroduction because the predators would feed off the same big game that
attracts sportsmen to the state and boosts rural economies.
Al Elkins with the association says he opposes the return of wolves to
Oregon because of “the absolute devastation it does to wildlife.”
The state commission has taken no position on wolves., although Chairman
John Esler said the state must eventually decide how to handle the animals
as they spread from reintroduction zones to other parts of the West.