Schlickeisen concluded, "We are very pleased that reason won in this case and that the wolves
will be allowed to remain in the park so that future generations may enjoy them."
Using the
experimental designation of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 66 wolves were released into Yellowstone National
Park and central Idaho in 1995 and 1996. Experimental designation under section 10(j) of the ESA allows ranchers
to shoot wolves if caught in the act of killing livestock on private lands. The 1997 ruling, spurred by an American
Farm Bureau Federation lawsuit, claimed that such designation was illegal and put any naturally occurring wolf
populations at undue risk, since a naturally occurring wolf would be fully protected under the ESA. No naturally
occurring wolves are in Yellowstone, and any pre-existing wolves in Idaho are flourishing now only because of the
tremendous success of the reintroduction program.
Defenders
President Schlickeisen noted that "The wolves are doing better than ever expected . They are reproducing,
hunting natural prey, and doing their part to return one of America's greatest treasures to its healthy, natural
state." More than 300 wolves are now found in the region.
Defenders
maintains its $200,000 Wolf Compensation Trust to compensate ranchers, at fair market value, for any losses due
to wolves.
Missing from
America's first national park for more than 60 years, the wolves have flourished in the park. The original 66 have
grown into more than 300 today.
Defenders
of Wildlife, a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 380,000 members and supporters is a
recognized leader in wolf recovery and restoration in the United States. |