WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation's largest animal protection organization, today joined with 11 other wildlife and environmental protection groups to file suit in federal court to halt the planned killing of endangered gray wolves in Wisconsin and Michigan.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently issued permits to the departments of natural resources in both states to kill dozens of wolves. The suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charges that although the Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the FWS to provide notice and an opportunity for public comment prior to issuing such permits; the FWS refused to provide the public with any opportunity to comment on the proposal.

Except in limited areas of the United States such as Minnesota where wolves are listed as threatened, all gray wolves in the lower 48 states are still listed as endangered and are granted broad protection under the ESA.

"The Service's decision to authorize the killing of endangered wolves without public notice and comment undermines the efforts of the scientists, wolf advocates, and public interest organizations that have worked for years to protect these majestic animals," said Dr. John Grandy, senior vice president of wildlife for The HSUS. "The intentional killing of an endangered species is a drastic step, and one that should never be taken without first soliciting and carefully considering expert views about whether lethal control is really necessary. The Service has failed to meet that criterion."

On April 1, 2003, the FWS downlisted most gray wolves in the lower 48 states from endangered status to threatened status, thereby reducing the animals' protection under the ESA. The HSUS and 18 other organizations filed suit over that decision, arguing that it was not based on sound science and was procedurally flawed. A federal court in Oregon agreed, and on January 31, 2005 issued an order vacating the FWS's decision and returning the wolf to endangered status.

"The Fish and Wildlife Service's actions cannot be viewed as anything short of a deliberate end-run around the recent federal court decision returning the wolf to endangered status," said Jonathan Lovvorn, vice president of animal protection litigation for The HSUS. "The Service's blatant disregard for the procedural requirements of the ESA is evidence of a complete lack of interest in science-based decision making at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service."

The Humane Society of the United States represents more than 9 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.