For Immediate Release

Conservationists Call for Independent Scientific Review of Wolf Proposal

Today, representatives from Oregon Wild, a statewide conservation organization, attended a hearing of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission to provide testimony on whether Oregon should remove the grey wolf from the state’s endangered species list. Oregon has identified 77 known wolves in the entire state. Conservationists are urging caution in the Commission’s proceedings, based on the small size of Oregon’s current wolf population, and numerous obstacles that remain before Oregon can be considered to have a recovered wolf population.

“The idea that 77 known animals of any kind represents a recovered population would be laughable if it weren’t so deadly serious. There are more pages in the document ODFW created to justify delisting than there are known adult wolves in the entire state. It’s hard to come to the conclusion that any serious thought was given to the case for maintaining the protections that have brought wolves this far. The agency was under intense pressure to arrive at the recommendation to delist. Oregon Wild is calling for an independent review of the state’s proposal. This review would present the commission with an unbiased, scientific appraisal free of politics and give the public confidence in whatever the final decision may be.” -Rob Klavins, Oregon Wild Northeast Oregon Field Coordinator

“Wolf recovery has so far been a tremendous success; however there remain significant obstacles in Oregon. One is that they are few in number – 77 known wolves is not a genetically viable population. Another is a legislative war on the species, both in Salem and in Washington DC, that threatens to strip away wolf protections in Oregon and elsewhere. There are physical barriers, it is no coincidence that a majority of the state’s wolf population is confined to the north and east of I-84; and societal ones, though most Americans value native wildlife, interest groups are actively working to sabotage wolf conservation and some individuals have declared their intention to illegally hunt down and kill these native hunters. It's easy to ignore these obstacles, but if we only had 77 wild Chinook salmon in the entire state of Oregon, I don't think ODFW would be so eager to declare mission accomplished.” - Steve Pedery, Oregon Wild Conservation Director

“While the wolf debate in Oregon is filled with hyperbole, there are a number of facts that must be acknowledged. First off, wolves are an integral, irreplaceable, and beneficial part of Oregon’s ecosystem. Elk herds in wolf country are above objective. Income from the livestock industry in Wallowa County has gone up every year since wolves returned and compensation is available to those experiencing loss and trying to prevent conflict. And wolves bring positive economic benefits that are too rarely discussed and too easily dismissed. Most Americans simply appreciate wildlife as a core value. In large part because of Oregon’s recent success with wolf recovery and non-lethal conflict prevention, we have a hard fought and well-earned reputation among those who appreciate wildlife. Now is not the time to turn our backs on wolf recovery.” - Quinn Read, Oregon Wild Wildlife Coordinator

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