Dances Without Wolverines

Feds decide not to list wolverine as threatened or endangered

Posted at 6:26 AM on 11 Mar 2008

Photo: iStockphoto

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to list wolverines in the Lower 48 states as threatened or endangered. The agency concluded that wolverines didn't need Endangered Species Act protections in the Lower 48 since viable populations exist in Canada and Alaska. The FWS said the Lower 48 wolverine population "is not separated from wolverine populations in Canada, and is likely dependent on them to some degree for maintaining genetic diversity." However, some wildlife advocates saw the decision as pawning off species protections to other countries. "This sets a new low in a long line of irresponsible, disturbing decisions made of late by the Bush administration," said Jamie Rappaport Clark, former director of the FWS in the Clinton administration. "The Endangered Species Act was designed to protect and preserve imperiled wildlife populations -- not so that we can pass our responsibilities off onto our border neighbors." Green groups said they'll likely challenge the decision in court.

sources: Associated Press, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
see also, in Gristmill: First wolverine in 30 years spotted in California

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Comments: (5 comments)

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who works for who

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service work for the ranchers and hunters

The USDA works for the Meat industry

The FDA works for the Pharmaceutical industry

Maybe if government bodies were actually "independent" we could expect better judgments from them! But they are corrupt. And yet we have the audacity to try teaching other countries about freedom and democracies!

I only have this one life, so I am going to try my very best to make a positive change. --- The Happy & Healthy Vegan ---

by javaearth at 7:37 AM on 11 Mar 2008

So baka...

...as I recall the fact that there were viable populations of bald eagles in Alaska and Canada didn't stop 'em from listing it as endangered.

Sheesh...looks like another court battle for the NRDC and the Center for Biological Diversity!

by Tasermons Partner at 9:52 AM on 11 Mar 2008

Help!

That's OK, I didn't want to be listed anyway, I'd have to fill out a bunch of paperwork.

Seriously, I'm sure the good conservation groups like the Center for Biological Diversity will come to my rescue.

by Wolverine at 1:39 PM on 11 Mar 2008

What rare beauty!

Dearest Wolverine,

if you will permit an objective aesthetic opinion from a friend who has your best interests at heart: You are much prettier from behind, as in that Sierra Nevada photo, than face-to-face.

By the way, yesterday I added a reference to an updated report on that California wolverine and where it may be from, on the "first Wolverine in 30 years" thread.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

by caniscandida at 7:02 AM on 12 Mar 2008

Canis

Thanx, I'll pass your comment on to my photographer and will berate my agent for allowing this.

by Wolverine at 1:44 PM on 12 Mar 2008

The comments of Grist users reflect the opinions of those individuals only, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Grist, its staff, its board members, their psychotherapists, or their aestheticians. Got it?