U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Declines to Restore Gray Wolf Protections

The decision allows states to continue wolf management practices, including hunting, despite conservationist opposition.

The Biden administration rejected petitions to list gray wolves as endangered in the Northern Rocky Mountains and Western United States, citing the species is not at risk of extinction.
Conservation groups express disappointment and concern over aggressive wolf-killing laws in states like Idaho and Montana, fearing for the species' recovery efforts.
The Fish and Wildlife Service announced plans to develop a national recovery plan for wolves by December 2025, aiming for a comprehensive approach to conservation.
Republican lawmakers and local communities support the decision, arguing for state management of wolf populations to prevent conflicts with livestock and humans.
Legal challenges and further advocacy efforts by conservation groups are anticipated in response to the federal decision.