http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jul/27/protections-still-needed-for-wolves/
By Patrick C. Valentino July 27, 2013
In June, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to remove gray wolves from the endangered species list despite wolves occupying only about 5 percent of their historic range. The service reminds us that the Endangered Species Act was not intended to provide indefinite life support. This is certainly true, and there might have been a compelling case for delisting today had the science supported it and had wolves reached a fuller stage of recovery.
But that hasn’t happened. In fact, three states in our Northern Rockies, already charged with wolf management, have unleashed an intense and partisan desire to reduce wolf numbers to the barest minimum allowable. Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming now have recreational hunting and trapping seasons, and in the past two years nearly 1,200 wolves have been killed. Well-known and well-loved wolves from Yellowstone National Park were killed, including the cherished Lamar Canyon pack’s alpha female. This degree of backlash questions whether our society has advanced past treating predators as a disposable commodity, a mindset that nearly wiped out wolves by the early 1900s.
There is an alternative path: one that recognizes that the majority of Americans support wolves as part of our wilderness and heritage, looks beyond managing wolves on the basis of population numbers along, recognizes the inherent value of wolves to exist in the wild as nature intended, and focuses on solutions to conflicts with livestock, such as nonlethal predator deterrents.
California is currently developing a wolf management plan and reviewing whether to protect wolves under state law in preparation for a future wolf population. Californians have a chance to lead the way and demonstrate how to afford the wolf the value it deserves, work together to reduce conflicts, and hopefully one day celebrate the recovery of wolves in our state.
The mission is far from accomplished. Delisting now is a political decision defying the majority’s desire for a more complete, science-based recovery of gray wolves. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to protect gray wolves and maintain their rightful place on our wild landscape.
Valentino is director of California Wolf Recovery.
Exposing the Big Game 
very nice. thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome.
Very well written, now please everyone remind your friends to sign petitions and write to gov’t officials in favor of the recovery of gray wolves before the comment period ends! Also, friends don’t let friends waste votes on anti-wolf politicians in any election! We have to stop this revolving door in politics between anti-wolf business people and high gov’t offices. If someone gains money or goods or even favors for voting against wolves, it is a conflict of interest! They tend to appoint ignorant, unqualified people to positions of power over the lives of wolves and other wildlife! Remind the current bunch of politicians that it is political suicide to vote against wolf recovery and that you and all your friends vote! Lastly, judge politicians by what they do, not what they say. Most of the pro-wolf sites will have letters you can sign and submit to those who make decisions, so it only takes a couple of minutes to do. Meegwetch, noble wolf advocates, let us change history and the well being of our planet forever!
Thanks Jim for all your hard work cutting through facts and putting this out there, so that we can keep spreading the word intelligently to what it really is happening .The more people know the more they will be force to change .
I didn’t write this one, but I’m happy to pass it on.
Yes I saw it was by Patrick Valentino whether you write or do the research for the post it’s still work putting it together to make it easier for us! So you’re still getting a thank you!
In that case, you’re welcome.