Despite a sweeping trend of wolf slaughter across some U.S. states, today the Biden administration defended the Trump administration’s removal of federal protections from gray wolves across the nation. The Fish and Wildlife Service detailed its position opposing Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections in a brief filed in the Northern District of California U.S. District Court in response to Earthjustice’s January lawsuit.

“The Biden administration has betrayed its duty to protect and recover wolves,” said Kristen Boyles, attorney at Earthjustice. “The Fish and Wildlife Service has the power to stop the immoral killing of wolves right now, and its refusal to act violates the law and the best science, as well as its treaty obligations to tribal nations.” 

Background

Last year, 1.8 million Americans submitted comments opposing delisting. Additionally, 86 members of Congress (in both the House and Senate), 100 scientists, 230 businesses, Dr. Jane Goodall from the Jane Goodall Institute, and 367 veterinary professionals all submitted letters opposing the wolf delisting plan. Even the scientific peer reviews commissioned by the Fish and Wildlife Service itself found that the agency’s proposal ignored science and appeared to come to a predetermined conclusion, with inadequate scientific support.

Since the gray wolf has been removed from the Endangered Species Act, states including Wisconsin, Idaho, and Montana have embraced this new rule by allowing for wolf slaughter. Earthjustice announced its intent to sue the states of Idaho and Montana on these egregious new laws.