List Wolverine as Endangered Species

The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimate that there are no more than 250-300 wolverines in the lower 48 states. Despite that alarmingly low number, Montana Dept of Fish, Wildlife and Parks decided on August 2nd to continue wolverine trapping.

Of all the remaining states with wolverine, only Montana still allows trapping. At one time wolverine were far more common, and ranged from Maine across the northern states and from Montana to New Mexico in the Rockies and from Washington to California’s Sierra Nevada. Today in the Rockies only Montana, Wyoming and Idaho still have breeding populations.

While the best estimate of the wolverine's population by the Fish and Wildlife Service for Montana is 150-175 animals, the "effective" breeding population of wolverine may not number more than 30-50 individuals. Trapping just a few breeding wolverines would be detrimental the long term survival of the species.

We ask you to list the wolverine as an endangered species and tell Montana to stop it's proposed trapping. With so few wolverine left, Montana has exercised very poor judgement in being able to sustain a healthy population and has used no sound science in its decision making.

SOURCE: http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2012/08/02/montana-fish-wildlife-and-parks-maintains-wolverine-trapping/

Mr. Rowan W. Gould, Acting Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street, N.W.
Room 3256
Washington, DC 20240-0001
phone - 404-679-4000
fax - 202-208-6965
e:mail - rowan_gould@fws.gov