Washington, DC — The National Wildlife Federation called any moves to immediately remove gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act premature. Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt announced his support for such a move today in Denver.

“Although certain distinct populations of gray wolves have recovered and merit delisting, suggesting that wolf populations have recovered nationwide is simply not supported by science. We are committed to continuing to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service to recover gray wolf populations and delist distinct populations that have recovered, but we cannot support nationwide delisting,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.