Do Gray Wolves Still Need Protection?

As many as 2 million gray wolves once roamed North America. Their mighty howls could be heard from the forests of New England to the shores of the Pacific coast. But by the 1960s, people had killed so many of them that only a few hundred wolves remained in the contiguous United States. 

To help the struggling species recover, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) placed gray wolves on the endangered species list in 1974. Animals on the list cannot be harmed, and their habitats must be protected. Eventually, the number of gray wolves south of Canada bounced back to about 6,000. In 2020, the FWS removed the animals from the endangered species list, saying they were no longer at risk of extinction. 

But earlier this year, a judge reversed that decision, putting wolves back on the list in most states. Many conservationists think that was the right move. They say wolf populations are still in danger of declining.

Many other people, however, argue that the species has already made a remarkable recovery and no longer needs to be protected by the U.S. government.

As many as 2 million gray wolves once roamed North America. Their mighty howls could be heard from the forests of New England to the shores of the Pacific coast. But by the 1960s, people had killed most of them. Only a few hundred wolves remained in the contiguous United States. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) wanted to help the struggling species recover. The FWS placed gray wolves on the endangered species list in 1974. Animals on the list cannot be harmed. Their habitats must also be protected. Eventually, the number of gray wolves south of Canada bounced back to about 6,000. In 2020, the FWS removed the animals from the endangered species list. The FWS said wolves were no longer at risk of extinction. 

But earlier this year, a judge reversed that decision. Wolves are now back on the list in most states. Many conservationists think that was the right move. They say wolf populations are still in danger of declining.

Many other people, however, argue that the species has already made a remarkable recovery. They say wolves no longer need to be protected by the U.S. government. 

Many conservationists and scientists say gray wolves still need protection. They argue that although wolf numbers have increased in recent decades, the population is still too small. After all, wolves don’t live in most of their former range (see map below). 

Plus, wolves are a keystone species. That means they have a big effect on all the other living things in their ecosystem. Wolves prey on large mammals, like elk. Fewer gray wolves would mean more elk to gobble up shrubs, trees, and other plant life. That would cause trouble for birds, beavers, and other animals that need those plants to survive.

“Without wolves, forests are less healthy,” says Adrian Treves. He’s a professor of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Many people fear that removing wolves from the endangered species list would lead to a sharp increase in wolf hunting. Not long after wolves were delisted in 2020, hunters in Wisconsin killed more than 200 of them in less than three days. 

Many conservationists and scientists say gray wolves still need protection. Yes, wolf numbers have increased in recent decades. But conservationists argue that the population is still too small. After all, wolves don’t live in most of their former range (see map below). 

Plus, wolves are a keystone species. That means they have a big effect on all the other living things in their ecosystem. Wolves prey on large mammals, like elk. Fewer gray wolves would mean more elk. The elk gobble up shrubs, trees, and other plant life. That would cause trouble for animals that need those plants to survive. This includes birds, beavers, and more. 

“Without wolves, forests are less healthy,” says Adrian Treves. He’s a professor of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 

Many people fear that removing wolves from the endangered species list would lead to a sharp increase in wolf hunting. The wolves were delisted in 2020. Not long after, hunters in Wisconsin killed more than 200 of them in less than three days.