Gray wolves make a comeback

Opinion: December 30, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Taking the gray wolf in Wisconsin and other parts of the Upper Midwest off the endangered species list is cause for celebration. It means that in those parts of the country, the wolf has rebounded from decimated numbers and is again starting to thrive. That’s a testament to the success of federal and state laws designed to preserve wildlife and the environment.

The goal was to have a population of about 350 wolves; the actual number now is closer to 800, with a total of around 4,000 in the Midwest.

Gov. Scott Walker and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp praised the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision to remove federal protection from the wolves. Several environmental groups, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, joined in that praise.

Under the plan, the DNR or those acting on its behalf will be able to kill problem wolves. The agency will be able to issue permits to landowners to kill wolves on their property where there are documented cases of depredation or harassment.

And that’s important to farmers and other property owners in the affected area. Some deer hunters blamed wolves for reducing the deer population in parts of the north. Attacks on livestock and pets have escalated tensions.

Again, there is no cause for dismay in the fed decision. It’s a reason to celebrate the success of a good federal law.