Gray Wolves are an Endangered Species!

feedback@ios.doi.gov, exsec@ios.doi.gov, webteam@ios.doi.gov, Rowan_Gould@fws.gov, contact@fws.gov

Honorable Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street, N.W.; Washington DC 20240

Dr. Rowan W. Gould, Acting Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, NW, Room 3256
MailStop 3238 MIB; Washington, DC 20240-0001



Dear Secretary Salazar and Acting Director Gould:

I applaud the Obama administration for reviewing many Bush-era rules that harm environment and wildlife. Unfortunately, science-based progress froze when you, Secretary Salazar, gave your okay to the removal of gray wolves from the Endangered Species list in the Northern Rockies and western Great Lakes.

For more than 1,000 wolves between Greater Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, this means open season. In fact, Idaho Gov. C.L. Butch Otter told reporters his state is "really counting on a robust population of trophy animals" to gun down.

With breeding season in full swing since April, pregnant females and pups are among those caught in the crossfire. Please don't relinquish wolf management to Montana, Idaho and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah, along with Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Wolves are key to thriving ecosystems. When the Bush/Cheney administration
delisted them, a federal judge reinstated all safeguards. Once again,
wildlife/environment groups are in court to challenge this ill-advised
decision. We cannot stand by as the largest wolf slaughter in the lower 48
United States unfolds.

Less than a year ago, 11 conservation groups argued (and won) that wolf populations had not rebounded. Wolf numbers still don't add up to biological recovery status. Yellowstone populations have dropped 27% in the last year. Moreover, delisting wolves does not consider their long-term survival.

At the very least, I urge suspension of this reckless plan until it
undergoes the type of scientific scrutiny the Obama administration
advocates.

Sincerely,