GREAT
LAKES
WOLVES
THRIVING
FEDERAL LAWSUIT
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G
ray wolves in Minnesota, Michigan
and Wisconsin have surpassed every
population goal – in some places by
more than 10 fold – and by law require
removal from Endangered Species Act
protections. But like the grizzly bear,
wolves fill donation coffers as efficiently
as they decimate ecosystems, ungulate herds,
livestock and pets. We’ve fought for proper
management and delisting in court for 12 years.
THE BATTLE TO DELIST
GREAT LAKES WOLVES
2003 FWS attempts to divide wolves into three
large Distinct Population Segments (DPS).
The rule was challenged and vacated.
2007 FWS proposes delisting wolves in the
Western Great Lakes (WGL) states.
HSUS challenges and SAF intervenes.
2008 D.C. District Court vacates the 2007 rule,
making WGL wolves endangered again.
2009 FWS publishes a new delisting rule
without public comment. HSUS and
others sue, SAF intervenes. DOJ refuses
to defend the rule and it was vacated.
2011 Sportsmen’s Alliance petitions DOI to
delist WGL wolves. FWS proceeds with a
delisting proposal, creating a WGL DPS.
2012 HSUS challenges 2011 rule in federal
court, arguing FWS lacks authority to
simultaneously designate and delist a
DPS. SAF intervenes.
2014 D.C. District Court rules for HSUS, stating
FWS lacked authority to regionally delist;
that their authority applies only to listing.
2015 SAF appeals
the ruling.
2016 Oral arguments held before D.C. Circuit
panel of judges.
2017 D.C. Circuit issued its ruling, restoring
ESA protections, but siding with SAF that
FWS has the ability to regionally delist a
species through the creation of a DPS.
2019 SAF submits written comments in support
of FWS’ renewed delisting effort.