An American icon in the crosshairs?

Few animals stir up as much emotion and heated debate as gray wolves. In many ways these majestic predators are the symbol of American wilderness, of wild places that have not yet been clear-cut or paved over. They were once common throughout Western America, including Oregon, but a misguided policy of using tax dollars to fund extermination programs drove them to the brink of extinction.

Few animals stir up as much emotion and heated debate as gray wolves. In many ways these majestic predators are the symbol of American wilderness, of wild places that have not yet been clear-cut or paved over. They were once common throughout Western America, including Oregon, but a misguided policy of using tax dollars to fund extermination programs drove them to the brink of extinction.

Today gray wolves represent the beginning of a great American conservation success story. Because of the safety net provided by the Endangered Species Act, and the hard work of countless biologists, landowners and concerned citizens, wolves are making a strong comeback.

But in February, the Bush administration announced plans to remove western gray wolves from the endangered species list and hand over management to state governments. The proposal comes as a mixed blessing. On one hand, it means wolf populations are rebounding, at least in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming — there are still no confirmed wolf packs here in Oregon. But it also means the feds will hand the keys over to states like Idaho, which could spell disaster for Idaho’s wolves and wolf recovery in Oregon.

Idaho’s Gov. Butch Otter has built up quite a reputation for being senselessly anti-wolf. He recently generated nationwide outrage by saying he’d want 80 percent of Idaho’s wolf population exterminated if the animals lose Endangered Species Act protection, and that he would be one of the first to shoot one.

Sadly, Otter embodies the kind of backwards thinking that put wolves on the endangered species list in the first place. Not only would local wolf populations suffer drastically under Idaho control, Oregon would stand to lose, too. That’s because wolf recovery in Oregon depends on having a strong population in Idaho. Without Idaho’s wolves as a source population, wolf recovery in Oregon is put at risk.

Why is it important to have wolves back in Oregon? First off, wolves are part of our natural heritage; they roamed Oregon’s forests and canyons long before the first highway or strip-mall was ever constructed. As a friend of mine points out, “If wolves aren’t supposed to be in Oregon, why did God put them here in the first place?”

Second, wolves also play a vital role in nature. For example, wolves can strengthen deer and elk herds by thinning out the sick, old and dying. Wolves also keep populations of other predators, like coyotes and cougars, in check. That is good news for other wildlife, from pronghorn antelope and mule deer to jackrabbits and the golden eagles that feed on them.

Additionally, an OSU researcher found that wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone National Park has led to the regrowth of important streamside vegetation. The researcher noted that without wolves around, deer and elk overgrazed streambanks, which can lead to erosion, poor water quality and loss of habitat for trout and other fish. With wolves back, elk and deer are moving around more, overgrazing has decreased and streamside vegetation is growing back.

Scientists from OSU believe that Oregon still has enough roadless wildlands and undeveloped areas to support wolves. In fact, Oregon has nearly as much suitable habitat as Wyoming and could support a total population of more than 1,400 wolves.

Anticipating that wolves would eventually return to Oregon from Idaho, a diverse group of ranchers, conservationists, hunters and scientists spent the last several years working on a wolf management plan for Oregon. The plan isn’t perfect, but it is a step in the right direction, and the State of Oregon needs to follow up on this effort by creating a fund to compensate ranchers for any livestock losses.

In the end, wolves just need a little tolerance and some wild country in which to roam. What they don’t need is the Bush administration declaring them “recovered” and handing over management to grandstanding state politicians. Let’s get wolves back into Oregon before we declare mission accomplished.

Matthew Fisher of Portland is a wildlands advocate for Oregon Wild, formerly Oregon Natural Resources Council (ONRC). He can be reached at mf@oregonwild.org.