Victory For Wolves! U.S. Fish & Wildlife Rejects Petitions To Remove & Weaken Protections For Gray Wolves

In a major win for wildlife conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced its decision to deny two companion petitions aimed at removing or reducing federal protections for gray wolves in the Western Great Lakes and other regions of the lower 48 states.

“The petitioners failed to present substantial information for us to conclude that the petitions, considered together, provide a valid approach for revising the current gray wolf listed entities,” the agency stated.

This decision reaffirms the importance of the Endangered Species Act in safeguarding gray wolves, which continue to face significant threats from habitat loss, hunting, and human conflict. Advocates argue that federal protections are critical to the recovery of this keystone species, which plays an essential role in maintaining ecological balance.

The gray wolf is classified as endangered across all or parts of 43 states, while in Minnesota, they are considered threatened. In contrast, they have been delisted and are “managed” under state jurisdiction in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and certain regions of north-central Utah and eastern Oregon and Washington.

“Today’s win is crucial in our continued fight for wolf protections, but it’s just that – a win today. We need many more wins to secure a better world for wolves, so let’s capitalize on this momentum and keep working,” Regan Downey, director of education at the Wolf Conservation Center, told WAN.

“We applaud the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to uphold critical protections for gray wolves,” said Leslie Williams and Samantha Attwood, founding members of Team Wolf. “However, the struggle continues — With continued threats to our wildlife and ecosystems on the horizon, we must remain vigilant in defending these protections to ensure wolves can thrive and maintain healthy biodiversity and balance in the lower 48 states.”

This important ruling conveys a strong message: decisions about the protection of wildlife must rely on scientific data, not politics or special interests. Conservation groups and wildlife advocates are celebrating this as a crucial step for the continued survival and recovery of gray wolf populations across the United States.

With the USFWS standing firm, the future of gray wolves remains hopeful—but their protection still requires vigilance and ongoing advocacy.

Take action and join Team Wolf’s pack to protect all gray wolves in the United States HERE!