From what I have gathered from the press over the years, the contempt you described that a lot of folks have for the gray wolf….is true. And I too believe that listing is not enough.
But it is interesting that today, there is equal sentiment favoring the re-establishment of the wolf.
So the gray wolf is possibly the most controversial wildlife species and probably, along with the grizzly, the species that most represents true wilderness.
The Gray Wolf Historically:
As you know the gray wolf has been scorned and eliminated throughout human history. Here is a very interesting map I just found on wiki showing the historic vs current range of the gray wolf (Canis lupus)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_wolf# ... _wolf2.png
Regarding ranchers who hate the gray wolf:
IMO, and for obvious reasons, ranchers who lease federal land and call for the eradication of the gray wolf are showing the epitome of audacity. And if the cattle were not grazing this "rangeland", it would recover for the purpose of supporting native systems (that are disappearing), which was its function before the cattle arrived in the first place.
I want the protection that the gray wolf rightfully deserves after centuries of persecution. My motivations come from simple love for all that represents wilderness.
Listing is not enough: USFWS and Critical Habitat
It seems that keeping the wolf listed as endangered
also tends to preserve wilderness. The USFWS is responsible for more than evaluating a species in question and then declaring its status. The Service defines the Critical Habitat of each Endangered Species, a huge undertaking. I could be wrong here: I believe that the Service has defined the Critical Habitats of just over 600 of the 1500+ endangered species. Mike and you express concern that listing is not enough. And that brings us to the Critical Habitat. I do not know if Critical Habitat has yet been delineated for the gray wolf. I suspect not. It seems that it will be very controversial. And this illustrates what we are involved in today; a fight for what is left of wilderness, of natural systems. This fight is never going to go away and will likely intensify.
The Y2Y Corridor
Also, please keep in mind the Y2Y non-profit efforts, to lock up a long corridor of wilderness:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowston ... Initiative
Go Wolves! Go Wilderness! It seems that "As the wolf goes….so goes the wilderness". And just think of the future opportunities to photograph nature. The more ways that can be found to make money in nature photojournalism and ecotourism…the better for nature!
Finally….I do agree with you that "in the long haul", it seems that the gray wolf does not stand much of a chance. And this is all the more reason that the wolf deserves all the protection we can give it in the time it has left.
Thanks much to NSN for this forum.
Robert King
http://itsaboutnature.net