Host Stephanie Potter speaks with Rob Klavins, roadless advocate for Oregon Wild, about the situation with the return of wolves to Oregon. For the first time in five years, Oregon's wolf management plan is under review. (Comments must be received at ODFW.Comments@state.or.us by June 30, 2010.) Wolves were exterminated in Oregon over 60 years ago, but some have moved back into the state from Idaho, where packs were re-introduced in the 1990's. Conservationists argue that wolves help to increase biodiversity, but ranchers and sportsmen claim that wolves are plundering their livestock and big game herds. Wolf recovery is still in jeopoardy: wolves became fair game in Idaho and Montana last year after losing the protection of the Endangered Species Act--a move initiated by the Bush administration and ultimately endorsed by the Obama administration. Oregon Wild. Earth Justice and a dozen other conservation groups have challenged the removal of gray wolves from the endangered species list and await the decision of a federal judge in Montana.
- KBOO