Wolf Recovery Under Attack

Once virtually wiped off the map by decades of hunting, trapping and poisoning, wolf numbers are now slowly rising thanks to recovery efforts. Unfortunately, the Bush administration issued a rule permitting states to kill wolves affecting elk herds in any way in the northern Rockies -- a decision upheld in 2009 by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. Earthjustice will not stand by and let this happen. Earthjustice, acting on behalf of 13 conservation groups, has set our legal challenge in motion by filing suit challenging the delisting as a violation of the Endangered Species Act.

 Read more about this threat to wolves

Famous Wolf Among First Casualties

Wolf 253 (known to local wolf-watchers around Yellowstone National Park as "Limpy") was one of the first casualties as the federal government first stripped Endangered Species protections for gray wolves in the northern Rockies at the end of March 2008.

But this particular wolf was unique. "He was a hell of a wolf," says Steve Justad, the photographer who shared Limpy's story -- and his own exclusive photographs -- with Earthjustice.

 Read the story of this remarkable wolf...

The Vital Role of the Wolf

Wolves play an important role in the northern Rockies and, since their reintroduction, are helping to restore balance to the natural environment. They keep elk and deer populations healthy by taking down sick, weak, and diseased animals. This helps prevent overcrowding and disease outbreaks, leading to stronger, healthier herds.

Wolves provide food for other animals who feed on the leftover remains of the hunt. These animals include eagles, foxes, coyotes and ravens.

Wolves also keep vegetation and streams healthy by preventing elk and deer from overgrazing stream banks. More vegetation along the banks means less soil erosion and more clean cold streams for fish and wildlife.

The Star Attractions of Yellowstone

Ever since their successful reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park in 1995, wolves have become one of the park's main attractions, bringing in $35 million a year in tourism to the local economy. In fact, polls have consistently shown that wolf recovery is widely supported by a vast majority of Americans who take pride in knowing that wolves are now once again part of the great American wilderness.

 See a video of wolves in their natural habitat in Yellowstone National Park (YouTube)

 Support our legal efforts to save the wolves with a donation today 

Delisting of the northern Rockies gray wolf went into effect on May 9, 2009. Hundreds of wolves could be killed in fall hunts.

For years, Earthjustice has gone to court to ensure that wolves can recover from the brink of extinction in the U.S. When wolf killing resumed on March 28, we knew that 1200 of the 1500 wolves living in the northern Rockies could be destroyed -- a huge setback to years of hard work restoring them to their natural habitat. 

We are challenging the decision to delist the wolves from the Endangered Species Act as well as the approval of state plans to kill off most of the wolf population. 

 06/02/09
Conservation Groups Challenge Northern Rockies Wolf Delisting
State sponsored hunts scheduled for fall

 04/28/08
Twelve Conservation Groups Challenge Federal Wolf Delisting
The delisting of the gray wolf violates the Endangered Species Act. Earthjustice files a case to challenge the delisting

 01/28/08
Conservation Groups Challenge Federal Wolf-Killing Rule
Conservationists take action against rule that would allow aerial gunning and other state-sponsored wolf kills

 12/19/07
Federal Officials Embrace Wyoming Wolf Killing Plan
Bush administration's approval gives Wyoming a green light to kill most of the wolves in the state

 11/15/06
Conservation Groups Intervene in Wyoming Wolf Lawsuit
A coalition of groups are filing suit to stop unregulated poisoning, trapping and shooting of wolves in Wyoming