US House votes to remove wolves from endangered list in 48 states
Source: ABC News/AP
April 30, 2024, 6:45 PM
The U.S. House voted Tuesday to end federal protection for gray wolves, approving a bill that would remove them from the endangered species list across the lower 48 states.
A handful of Democrats joined with Republicans in passing the bill. The measure now goes to the Senate, but it appears doomed after the White House issued a statement Monday warning that the Biden administration opposes it. Congress shouldn't play a role in determining whether a species has recovered, the statement said.
The Republican-authored bill comes amid national debate on the wolves' future. Hunters and farmers across the country maintain the species is stable and have been complaining for years about wolf attacks on game species and livestock. They want to be allowed to legally kill the animals. Conservationists insist the population remains fragile after being hunted to near-extinction by the 1960s.
In 2011 Congress stripped Endangered Species Act protection from gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains and the Trump administration removed protections across the rest of the continental U.S. in 2020. However, a federal judge blocked the change except in the northern Rocky Mountains. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this past February rejected requests from conservation groups to restore protections in that six-state Rockies region, allowing Idaho, Montana and Wyoming's state-sponsored wolf hunts to continue. The agency estimated the wolf population in the region at almost 3,000 animals at the end of 2022.
Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/us-house-votes-remove-wolves-endangered-list-48-109808318
= new reply since forum marked as read
Kristi Noem Slammed In Home State Newspaper Column
https://www.newsweek.com/kristi-noem-kill-dog-south-dakota-newspaper-1895491
"It's a sign of laziness to not take proactive measures to fix the problem, like rehoming the dog to a more appropriate place, getting the dog better training, or, in the case of a truly vicious animal, having it humanely euthanized."
--snip--
Schlecht, who lives on a farm and ranch near Medina, North Dakota, adds that even when euthanizing an animal is sometimes the best option, on farms "when things don't go right," but she and her family would "strive always to do things properly."
"Farm dogs are not just tools of a farm. They're often part of the family," she wrote. "And we're going to treat them as such, even when they fail us. Or, more accurately, when we fail them."
I come from a line of ranchers and farmers on my father's side--all of whom have worked WITH state wildlife officials to maintain healthy populations, deal humanely with problem predators, and establish wildlife balance while protecting their livestock. I am proud of them. I would HATE to have a horrible exploitative, lying cretin like Noem trying to speak for me and mine. Nor most of the hack politicos in the Republican-led Congress
Which states that only federal courts and/or sign off of the USFWS with local agreements can legally removed species from the list.
And no "best available science" is being applied here. I'm still pissed about them removing the tri-state DPS from protection in 2011.
Thankfully we have Biden and Haaland to refuse this bullshit legislation.
And it is nothing more than political bullshit.
The sooner the better.
Anyone who objects to wolves on the landscape do not understand ecosystem dynamics and the importance pf keystone species.
This is my wheelhouse here and a serious flashpoint for me. I won't post my CV or resume but...
I hope the Senate does the right thing, but I'm sure Pres. Biden will veto.
Your great post got a rec from me!
Thank you so much!
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.
