Emergency Petition to Relist Gray Wolves (Canis lupus) in the Northern Rocky Mountains as an Endangered or Threatened “Distinct Population Segment” Under the Endangered Species Act May 26, 2021 Photo by Jim Peaco, National Park Service Authored By: Center for Biological Diversity The Humane Society of the United States May 26, 2021 The Honorable Deb Haaland Secretary of the Interior 1849 C Street N.W. Washington, DC 20240
[email protected] Martha Williams, Principal Deputy Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1849 C Street N.W. Washington, DC 20240
[email protected] Dear Secretary Haaland and Principal Deputy Director Williams: Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 1533(b)(3) of the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) and its implementing regulations, 50 C.F.R. § 424.14, as well as section 5 U.S.C. § 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”), the Center for Biological Diversity, the Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Legislative Fund, and the Sierra Club hereby petition the U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service” or “FWS”), to relist the gray wolf (Canis lupus) in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The states of Idaho and Montana have just passed legislation to drastically reduce their wolf populations. Hunters, trappers and private contractors in Idaho can kill up to 90% of the state’s estimated 1,500 wolves, using new—and highly effective—methods of hunting that were previously unavailable. In Montana, new rulemaking may pave the way for killing approximately 85% of the population, currently reported to be at 1,200 wolves.