Let's fulfill our part of the wolf-reintroduction bargain

By Michael Scott, Guest Columnist

In the early 1990s, before the first Rocky Mountain gray wolf set foot in Yellowstone National Park after a 60-year absence, a broad range of individuals and organizations struck a deal that promised to restore Canis lupus to the western landscape. The deal took into consideration the legitimate concerns of ranchers, hunters and outfitters who feared their livelihoods would be threatened. The agreement said that, once there were enough wolves for a biologically sound population, and when Montana, Idaho and Wyoming came up with reasonable wolf management plans, wolves would be removed from the federal endangered species list and management would be turned over to the states.

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park, I am pleased to say that we have made great strides toward that goal. In doing so, we are writing what eventually could be the greatest wildlife restoration success story in our nation's history. From those first 14 Canadian wolves that were transplanted into the Lamar Valley back in January 1995, we now have a population of about 170 wolves in Yellowstone National Park and another 130 wolves roaming throughout the Greater Yellowstone region. In a scenario that was hard to imagine just a decade ago, wolf sightings are now fairly common in such places as the Paradise Valley, Madison Valley and upper Gallatin River drainage. If we work together as a region, we can finish writing that success story.

The key to finishing the deal and removing wolves from the endangered species list lies in how the three states manage them. Montana and Idaho have produced wolf management plans that have been accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and as a result, have recently been given added flexibility to manage wolves. In return, the states and their citizens must demonstrate their commitment to treating wolves as a valued wildlife species instead of vermin.

If Montana's and Idaho's wildlife managers strike a measured balance between maintaining big game numbers and ensuring that wolves are allowed to roam the countryside, then we can reach the goal of delisting wolves in the near future. Evidence that wolves are reducing big game numbers in a specific area should not, however, automatically trigger a death sentence.

As part of a healthy, functioning ecosystem, wolves eat prey, and anywhere wolves take up residence elk and deer herds will almost certainly be affected. If, on the other hand, there is concrete evidence that wolves are sharply reducing herd numbers, it will be up to wildlife managers to strike a balance. Likewise, Montana and Idaho ranchers are being given broad new authority to control wolves that are preying on livestock. They, too, must exercise that authority wisely if we are going to reach the goal of delisting wolves.

It's too bad Wyoming didn't follow its neighbors' lead. Wyoming has chosen to sue the government rather than rewrite its wolf management plan, which thumbs its nose at the original balanced agreement for wolf reintroduction by allowing an open season on them, except within the protective confines of national parks and wilderness areas. That obstinacy is inhibiting our progress toward delisting wolves.

When Wyoming writes an acceptable plan, and when the three states demonstrate they will manage wolves responsibly as part of the region's wildlife, we will support removing wolves from the endangered species list. After all, that's part of the deal we made before the first wolves were restored to Yellowstone a decade ago. And when we make a deal, we stand by it.

Michael Scott is executive director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, based in Bozeman.

Michael Scott is executive director of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, based in Bozeman.