Press Releases

Washington, D.C. (June 7, 2013) – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced their proposal to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species. This proposal would leave future management and conservation efforts to states for all gray wolf populations in the lower 48 states with the exception of the southwestern Mexican gray wolf. This announcement comes after the delisting of wolves in the Great Lakes and Rocky Mountain States earlier this year. 

Congressman Steve Pearce (NM-02) and Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (WY- At Large), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Western Caucus, released the following statements in response to this announcement:

“I am pleased to see the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finally acknowledge the successes of the gray wolf protection programs in the majority of the country,” said Chairman Steve Pearce. “However, there is still much work to be done in regards to the southwestern populations, which have now been designated as an endangered subspecies. We need to reevaluate the current protection programs in the southwest and their effectiveness for not only protecting the wolves, but our livestock and children as well. It is time to bring all groups back to the table and rededicate ourselves to developing a plan that will protect this important species while addressing the needs of New Mexicans.”

“Score one for the states! I’m encouraged to see state and local species management efforts recognized for their effectiveness and efficiency,” said Co-Chair Cynthia Lummis. “We all ought to take a moment to recognize and celebrate conservation victories like this.  But tomorrow, its back to the grindstone.  In the Southwest is a struggling wolf population that has not thrived – we must consider new ideas in that region.  I remember all too well the isolation Wyoming has felt regarding wolves to leave my friends in New Mexico and Arizona behind.  And we must be ever vigilant of the courtroom antics of those who would rather sue than celebrate a conservation success.”