The United States Fish and Wildlife Services spokesman issued a statement on Thursday stating the agency has begun reviewing the status of gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)

According to The Hill, Gavin Shire stated the following:

“Working closely with our federal, state, tribal and local partners, we will assess the currently listed gray wolf entities in the lower 48 states using the best available scientific information. If appropriate, the Service will publish a proposal to revise the wolf’s status in the Federal Register by the end of the calendar year. Any proposal will follow a robust, transparent and open public process that will provide opportunity for public comment.”

Farmers and ranchers nearly shot, trapped and poisoned gray wolves into extinction until the few remaining wolves and their future generations protected. In some parts of the country, wolves have made a healthy comeback, however environmental groups contend it is too early to take the wolves off the endangered list since wolf populations are still very scarce in other areas of the lower 48 states.

“Time and again the courts have told the service that wolves need further recovery before their protections can be removed,” said Collette Adkins, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. “But the agency is dead set on appeasing special interests who want to kill these amazing animals.”

One year ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service applied to remove protections for grizzly bears. The first hunt for grizzly bears in 43 years is scheduled to take place in September with hunters being allowed to shoot as many as 22 grizzlies east of Yellowstone National Park. Idaho will allow one grizzly to be killed. Montana has decided to forego the hunting. Bears in Yellowstone National Park are still protected.

Grizzly bears are not used for their meat; instead they are trophy kills. Many tribal nations have opposed the hunt since they believe the animals are sacred. Several lawsuits have been filed, and there is still a chance the season could be postponed or canceled.

In 2017, a federal appeals court ruled against the Interior Department’s decision to strip the protections for the endangered gray wolves thus prohibiting hunters from tracking and killing them. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia stated that although the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the authority to group wolves into different regions, it does not have the authority to remove them from the endangered list without considering the impact on the entire species in their range.

Another bill to remove the wolves from the endangered list is pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.

More news and updates on the National Pet Rescue Facebook page.

Read more about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife sanctioning the baiting and killing of bears, bear cubs and baby wolves.

Abandoned moose calf bonds with family’s German shepherd – read the story here.

Dog vanished after falling overboard on boat outing with family – read more here.

Our site is supported by stories from Shared.com

Man tells wife “it’s me or the dogs” after 25 years of marriage – are you surprised at her response? Read it here!