California Reaffirms Commitment To Gray Wolf Recovery As Federal Delisting Review Begins
California wildlife officials are standing by the state’s commitment to protecting endangered species following a new executive order calling for a review of protections for gray wolves and Mexican wolves under the Endangered Species Act.
In a September 10 statement, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reaffirmed the state’s commitment to species recovery and addressed future wildlife decisions, stating:
“At the same time, we will continue to rely on sound science and meaningful public participation when making decisions about California’s wildlife.”
Under the September 4 executive order signed by President Trump, the Secretary of the Interior has 90 days to determine whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves have met the recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act.
If the Interior Secretary determines that those criteria have been met, the order directs the department to begin the delisting or downlisting process.
Most importantly, current federal protections for gray wolves in California and Mexican wolves remain in place during the review. These protections are critical to their long-term survival.
Gray wolves are considered a keystone species and play a vital role in the ecosystems they inhabit. Their presence can influence prey populations and broader food-web dynamics, reinforcing why protecting wolves is so important for both their future and the wild landscapes they help sustain.
As the federal review moves forward, California’s continued commitment to endangered species recovery is especially important. Gray wolves and Mexican wolves deserve strong protections and science-based conservation efforts that support their continued recovery in the wild.
