Wolf Delisting Opposition

Forty-eight organizations called on Sen. Barbara Boxer (Calif.) this week to use her power as chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to put a stop to legislation removing Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection for gray wolves.

"Decisions about the fate of the nation's imperiled wildlife should be made by scientists, not politicians," said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity.

The House last month passed a continuing resolution that included language removing protections for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains. The Senate is now considering similar language to remove protections for wolves in its version of the spending bill.

Peter Orwick, executive director for the American Sheep Industry Association stated that, "ASI's policy clearly supports the delisting of wolves from the ESA."

The 48 organizations include groups like Defenders of Wildlife, Humane Society of the United States, Center for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Porject.