Red Wolves Must Remain Listed Under the Endangered Species Act Status Review

These comments are submitted by the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of the Red Wolf Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and Animal Welfare Institute in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (“USFWS” or “Service”) five-year status review for the critically endangered red wolf. See 5-Year Status Review of the Red Wolf, 81 Fed. Reg. 75,425 (Oct. 31, 2016). With the most recent status review for the red wolf being completed in 2007, this status review should have been completed in 2012 pursuant to the Endangered Species Act’s (“ESA”) statutory deadline, now nearly five years ago. The severe decline in the wild red wolf population that has occurred in the wake of unexamined management changes during this delay shows exactly why the periodic review of endangered species listing and conservation measures is so critical.

(Read Full PDF)