The Trump administration’s decision to remove the wolf from the endangered species list was a controversial decision that has opened up a large debate between hunters, conservationists, ranchers, and biologists. It has also sparked a dialogue between political parties.

 There is no animal quite like the wolf. They are fast, smart, stealthy, and the perfect predator. They have gone from being incredibly abundant throughout the United States to being nearly extinct. It is due to conservation efforts that wolves have been reintroduced into the habitats they used to roam and the ecosystems that rely on them. 

Wolves are essential to a balanced ecosystem in the United States. There are so many benefits that come along with their role in an ecosystem, but they are only reapable through a controlled and balanced population of wolves. Wolves are important in balancing ungulate populations that would otherwise heavily damage the ecosystem by eating too much grass. Wolves are also essential in slowing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease(known as CWD). CWD is a disease that can be found in many deer species such as elk, moose, reindeer, deer, and sika deer. This disease causes lesions in the brain and makes the ungulate incredibly sick. Without wolves and other predators, ungulate populations become overpopulated which results in CWD spreading far faster, creating unhealthy heards. Wolves are also known to target sick or unhealthy animals of the herd which supports the idea that they slow the spread of CWD. The population management of wolves is also an essential component in maintaining a balanced ecosystem because when they go unmanaged and their numbers are above what is needed, they begin to do more bad than good. Former president, Donald Trump, removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list and in response, the state of Wisconsin opened up a controversial wolf hunting season in which a large number of these wolves were killed. Trump’s decision to remove the wolves’ protection and Wisconsin’s decision to allow a wolf hunting season has been heavily criticized by many on the left. Joe Biden said that as president, one of the first things he will look at is the reversal of the Trump administration era bill. There are many sides to the ever-growing wolf debate. Many think that wolves are very destructive, while several others believe wolves are the key to solving many imbalances in our ecosystems. The reintroduction of wolves into the state of Colorado has also been a very contentious topic. Colorado just passed a bill that would bring the predator back into the state and many people were upset with that. Ranchers and other hunters are concerned that the introduced wolves will cause problems in the ranching industry, as well as eat all the deer species in the state. However, this would not be the case as wolves only account for less than 1% of cattle deaths every year. The livestock industry would not be heavily affected and as for the ungulate population, the reintroduction of wolves would actually positively affect elk, deer, and moose populations. Colorado currently has the most elk anywhere in the United States but it also has the most cases of CWD and the most unhealthy herds. This is due to the lack of predators managing the herds and with the reintroduction of wolves, Colorado will see lower cases of CWD and an overall healthier ecosystem. Voters in Colorado narrowly approved proposition 114 which will reintroduce gray wolves to Colorado in 2022 or 2023.

 The Gray wolf was removed from the endangered species list because it was no longer endangered. Simple as that. There are enough wolves where if they go unmanaged, they can begin to cause imbalances in our ecosystem, and unfortunately, they already are in some areas. In Yellowstone and the western United States in general, the moose population has dropped drastically due to wolves being present in such high numbers. Harsh winters and lack of food are also factors in the low numbers of moose, but wolves are definitely the main contributor. The left and right approach the wildlife debates in different ways. The left is generally more environmentally friendly and while the republican party has many members involved in conservation and land preservation, the Trump administration turned a lot of protected land in Alaska and other states into drilling sites. Speaking to the world debate specifically, The trump administration’s decision to remove the grey wolf from the endangered species list was a decision based on science and numbers. The US Fish and Wildlife responded to one of Biden’s first executive orders to review the Trump administration’s so-called anti-wildlife policies, declaring that the Trump administration’s decision to remove the Grey wolf from the endangered species list was valid and will remain in effect in the lower 48. 

Recently, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed SB 1211 into law on May 5 which will allow the extermination of 90 percent of Idaho’s wolf population. Many politicians who support this bill claimed that the wolves were destroying wildlife and ranchers in the state. This claim is backed by no facts and Fish & Wildlife was against this bill.  In 2020, 84 sheep and cattle were killed by wolves in Idaho. There is a yearly average of only 113 cattle and sheep killed by wolves in the state each year which makes the annual wolf caused losses of livestock  0.00428 percent. In no way is the wolf destroying the ranching industry and the people that pushed this bill went directly against what Fish & Wildlife advised.

The war on wolves is not new as it has been a conflict in the United States since the arrival of colonists. Wolves were wiped out in the lower 48 by the mid-1900’s and their comeback story is one that has been met with support and backlash. Wolves are the key to solving ecological imbalances in several states which makes their reintroduction essential to our ecosystem.

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