State Asked to Remove Gray Wolf from Endangered Species ListMADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - For the third time, Wisconsin has asked the federal government to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. The wolf was declassified twice before, but animal rights groups convinced federal judges to restore its endangered status. And that?s likely to happen again if the latest request is approved.
The grey wolf was off the endangered list for 21 months since 2007. And Wisconsin had its own management plan during that time, which included the killings of problem wolves that kill hunting dogs and livestock.
In the last quarter-century, the state has paid almost $900,000 to those losing farm and hunting animals killed by wolves. It could take awhile for the U.S. Interior Department to consider Wisconsin?s declassification request. So the state has asked for immediate federal approval to kill problem wolves.
Without that authority, the state?s wolf population keeps growing. The DNR said wolves grew 12 percent over the winter to around 750 ? the most since pre-settlement times. There are now over 4,000 grey wolves in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Michigan. Minnesota has also asked that the wolf be declassified. Michigan has not made the move yet. The Humane Society of the U.S. says the animal should be protected nationally ? and of all the farms in Wisconsin, not even 100 have had trouble with wolves.
http://www.wtaq.com/news/articles/2010/apr/28/state-asked-remove-gray-wolf-endangered-species-li/
