Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon responded to a letter from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcing its intent to initiate a 12-month status review to determine whether a listing of a distinct population segment of the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains or in the western United States under the Endangered Species Act is warranted.
The Governor said, “Secretary Haaland’s decision is very disappointing and indicates a strong disconnect between Washington D.C and realities on the ground. In Wyoming, wolves have been successfully managed by our state’s wildlife experts since regaining authority in 2017.”
Gordon says he firmly stands behind the state’s wolf management plan that has served as Wyoming’s guide to ensure a viable, healthy population for a species that has met all recovery criteria for nearly two decades. He reiterated that managing Wyoming’s wildlife from Washington D.C is not a good model and is counter to the intent of the Endangered Species Act.
Gordon urged Secretary Haaland to ensure that the status review is grounded in science and recognizes the states’ strong track record effectively managing the wolves.
