The wolf drama continues. Feds restored protection for Wyoming wolves, although they did not relist them as endangered. Previously, in 2012, the wolves were removed from the endangered species list and management of the packs was turned over to Wyoming Game and Fish.

What happened? The Federal Judge does not believe that Wyoming will maintain adequate numbers of wolves to keep the population healthy. For one thing, Wyoming has a “shoot on sight” policy that allows just that: anyone can shoot any wolf they see…on sight (except for Yellowstone and a special zone around it). Also, when Wyoming set up its internal management guidelines, it failed to use the minimum numbers they previously agreed to maintain. And, they rashly named an area near Yellowstone the Wolf Trophy Game Management Area.

Some comments from the prevailing attorney:

“The court has ruled and Wyoming’s kill-on-sight approach to wolf management throughout much of the state must stop …. “If Wyoming wants to resume management of wolves, it must develop a legitimate conservation plan that ensures a vibrant wolf population in the Northern Rockies.”

He said Wyoming treated wolves as “vermin” and allowed them to be hunted “along the borders of Yellowstone National Park and throughout national forest lands south of Jackson Hole.”

The group said 219 wolves had been killed in 80% of Wyoming opened to “unlimited” killing since the delisting. It also claimed that “weak protections” existed for wolves in the remaining 20% of the state.

In other words, Wyoming is pretending to protect wolves. True? Not True? It is going to be an interesting show.