The Republican-majority US House of Representatives passed a controversial bill, voting to remove endangered species protections for the gray wolf across a significant portion of the country.
The move has generated outrage among conservationists who fear the potential consequences for the wolf population.
The bill, sponsored by Representative Lauren Boebert, a right-wing firebrand from Colorado, passed narrowly along party lines with a vote of 209-205.
It will now advance to the Senate for further consideration.
The White House, in response to the bill’s passage, expressed strong opposition and signaled that President Joe Biden would likely veto the measure if it were to reach his desk.
This highlights the ongoing divide between Republicans and Democrats on environmental issues.
This recent development follows a previous decision made by former President Donald Trump in October 2020 to remove gray wolves from their protected species status.
The designation, implemented in the 1970s after the gray wolf faced near extinction in the continental United States, was later restored by a federal judge in February 2022.
The lapse in protections during that period led to devastating consequences, as exemplified by a 72-hour hunting spree in Wisconsin, where over 200 wolves were killed.
Such incidents underscore the importance of continued safeguards for the species.
Supporters of the bill argue that gray wolves symbolize the untamed spirit of the American wilderness.
On the other hand, critics view them as a threat to the livelihoods of ranchers. This division reflects a longstanding tension between conservation efforts and economic interests in the region.
Historically, the gray wolf population in the United States faced severe declines due to eradication campaigns carried out by European colonizers.
The population dwindled to only a quarter of a million wolves before the 20th century, with their existence limited to the Alaskan region.
Thanks to the listing of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act, their numbers have since increased to around 5,000 in the continental United States. However, activists stress that the species’ recovery remains precarious.
Robert Dewey, representing Defenders of Wildlife, one of over 100 organizations that have criticized the bill, emphasized the importance of voting against this measure.
He argues that allowing wolves to continue their recovery under the guidance of the best available science is crucial for their eventual delisting from the Endangered Species Act.
The fate of the bill now rests with the Senate, where its reception and potential amendments will determine the future of gray wolf protections in the United States.
