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There is not total consensus in favor of removing the wolf from protection of the Endangered Species Act. Some residents of Minnesota, where the wolf has been managed as a threatened species, are not happy with how it has been handled.
Some critics say that no action can be taken regarding wolves until a thorough count is done to establish how many wolves there really are in Minnesota. These critics have seen estimates of the population continue to rise when no research has been done to support these estimates.
There is also disagreement about how wolf control is performed. When wolf damage is confirmed, traps are put out to catch the offending animal(s). Critics say that this is done in a manner which allows more wolves to be captured and possibly killed than actually were involved in the incident. The animal rights group Friends of Animals has sued over this situation, but the suit has not been decided.
Another issue in question is how wolves will be controlled after they are delisted. This also involves the possibility that a maximum population level could be set by the state. Some people support the idea of a limited hunting season on wolves. This not only reduces the cost of government agents removing wolves, but the hunters could be charged for the hunting license, which would help pay for wolf management.
Opponents fear that bringing back wolf hunting will inspire old attitudes about wolves to be revived, and many more wolves will be killed than is legal. The pro-wolf group DEFEND claims that 250-400 wolves are illegally killed annually.
Many people seem to oppose setting population limits, when they believe that nature will balance the population itself based on prey levels and habitat.
There is a lot to take into consideration as wolves begin to be considered recovered. Careful thought and discussion must happen to ensure that we do not take steps which might put the wolf in danger again. However, we must also avoid costly and extraneous management of wolves which could lead to a backlash against the species.
It is reprinted from the Summer 1997 Issue of WOLF! Magazine. This unique and comprehensive magazine is not supported by advertising, but by subscriptions. Please help keep this much needed resource alive!
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