Interior Secretary Sally Jewell received two letters today
from conservation scientists criticizing a draft Rule that would remove
protections for wolves across the lower 48 states. One letter came from the American Society of Mammalogists, the other
from 16 conservation scientists.
Signatories include several
scientists who conducted the research the government relied upon in the
draft rule. According to these scientists, the draft rule does not
reflect “the conclusions of our work or the best available science
concerning the recovery of wolves.” Interestingly, the letter comes on
the heels of an announcement that the proposed delisting is being held up indefinitely due to an “unexpected delay.”
As one of the signatories, I was particularly disappointed by the
Fish & Wildlife Service’s (FWS) analysis of the threats faced by
wolves. Despite acknowledging that, in areas with higher human
densities “the primary determinant of the long-term conservation of gray
wolves will likely be human attitudes toward this predator”, the FWS did not cite any
of the scientific (or commercial) data available to address this
threat, as required by law; rather, the FWS relied upon the conjecture
of biologists involved in wolf recovery efforts. Though the opinions of
these professionals carry considerable weight, they do not reflect “the
best available science” on tolerance for wolves.
See the Center for Biological Diversity’s press release.
Scientists: Don’t drop federal protections
Scientists call on Obama administration to keep gray wolves protected
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