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Per an email I got from SCI.. Ripp Gray Wolf Removal from Endangered Species List Set for May 4th In a move supported by SCI, today, April 2, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published two final rules removing the gray wolves of the Western Great Lakes and the Northern Rocky Mountains from the “endangered” and “threatened” species lists. The rules will go into effect on May 4, 2009. Once the delisting goes into effect, the individual states where wolves will be delisted will manage their own wolf populations. The Western Great Lakes wolf delisting will encompass all of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, the eastern halves of North Dakota and South Dakota, the northern half of Iowa, the northern portions of Illinois and Indiana and the northwestern portion of Ohio. The Northern Rocky Mountain delisting will include the states of Idaho and Montana and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah. Because of the FWS’s concerns with Wyoming’s wolf management plan, wolves in the state of Wyoming will retain their Endangered Species Act protections. Anti-hunting and other groups opposed to the delistings have already notified the FWS of their intent to file suit to challenge the actions. Since 2003, Safari Club International has continuously defended the FWS wolf recovery efforts and has supported federal and state science-based management of wolves and other wildlife. SCI is currently examining its potential role in the upcoming litigation. |