WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Wildlife Federation voiced concern today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to proceed with its plan to remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves nationwide. Despite strides toward recovering gray wolves, the National Wildlife Federation said science does not yet support a nationwide delisting under the Endangered Species Act. 

“Although certain distinct populations of gray wolves have recovered and merit delisting, national wolf populations have not, and a nationwide delisting decision is not appropriate at this time. Decisions around wolf management and any regional or national delistings should be guided by science, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should rescind this decision,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation.