LATEST MYNORTHWEST LOCAL AND PACIFIC NORTHWEST NEWS

Judge restores gray wolf protections after being eliminated in 2020

Feb 10, 2022, 2:25 PM

gray wolf...

This February 2017 file photo provided by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shows a gray wolf in Oregon's northern Wallowa County. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP, File)

(Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP, File)

A federal court has restored the Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf, which means no more recreational hunting of these animals in Washington or Oregon.

The ruling orders the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to resume recovery efforts for the species. It also redesignates the gray wolf as a species threatened with extinction in the lower 48 states — with the exception of the Northern Rockies population, where wolf protections were removed in 2011.

Wolf sightings in Washington? There’s a map for that

Without the protections that have now been restored, wildlife advocates argue that hunting would reverse a population increase that took decades to achieve. Gray wolves were removed from the endangered list more than a year ago during the Trump administration’s final days.

The most recent data shows an estimated 132 wolves in Washington, 173 in Oregon, and fewer than 20 in California.

“The science is clear that gray wolves have not yet recovered in the western U.S. By design, the Endangered Species Act does not provide the federal government the discretion to forsake western wolf recovery in some regions due to progress in other parts of the country,” said Kelly Nokes, Western Environmental Law Center attorney, in a written statement. “Today’s decision will bolster recovery of western wolves – a keystone species wherever they exist – and improve ecosystem health more broadly.”

The new court ruling does not override federal law, which still allows private citizens to hunt the wolves in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Latest MyNorthwest Local and Pacific Northwest News

Image: Twin waterspouts appeared in the Puget Sound in January 2025. It's a rare occurrence....

Morgan Palmer, KIRO 7 chief meteorologist

Rare occurrence: Twin waterspouts pop up over Puget Sound

A very rare occurrence appears to have briefly happened over Puget Sound off South King County Wednesday: twin waterspouts.

12 hours ago

Image: A Kent Police Department vehicle is seen on a city street....

Steve Coogan

Another Puget Sound area pedestrian killed by a moving train

For the second time in about a month, a moving train killed a Western Washington pedestrian who was crossing the tracks.

12 hours ago

Photo: Sweden's Martin Haarahiltunen in red is riding inside Finland's Max Koivula and Austria's Fr...

Paul Holden

Weekend festivities: Undie run, pinball, ice racing and more!

Maybe you've been stuck inside this week enjoying the snow and are ready to get out and enjoy the weekend, well you are in luck!

12 hours ago

Ice with some snow over the weekend...

Bill Kaczaraba

Western WA snow fades, but freezing temperatures, ice persist

We are finally getting a break with the snow, but frigid temperatures will continue through the weekend.

15 hours ago

Photo: A cell in the King County Jail can be seen in a recent photo....

Matt Markovich

Justice vs. safety: Washington lawmakers clash over sentencing reform bill

A bill advanced in Olympia that may lead to a floor vote on one of the most significant law and justice bills of this session. It involves sentencing reform.

15 hours ago

Photo: An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8....

Julia Dallas

Woman suing Alaska Airlines, claims airline negligent in sexual assault

A woman is suing Alaska Airlines after a man allegedly sexually assaulted her during a flight.

15 hours ago

Judge restores gray wolf protections after being eliminated in 2020