PORTLAND, Ore. – Today, Judge Robert Jones of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon ordered that the wolf populations throughout most of the lower 48 United States must remain classified as "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  This ruling, which resulted from litigation brought by nineteen conservation and animal protection groups including The HSUS and Defenders of Wildlife, vacates the April 1, 2003 rule by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that "downlisted" wolves in most of the eastern and western U.S. to the lower protection standard of "threatened." Citing to the inadequacies in the analysis by the FWS, Judge Jones held that the science and rationale used by the agency did not support a lowering of the protective status of the wolves.

The overriding goal of the ESA is the preservation and promotion of endangered and threatened species and their respective habitats on which these species depend for their survival. A species is "endangered" if it is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and is considered "threatened" if the species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. While the main purpose of the ESA is to promote the recovery of both endangered and threatened species, the level of protection offered the species varies, with a much greater protection offered the endangered species as opposed to a threatened species. The classification of a species is therefore critical. 

"This is a great victory for wolf populations within the United States, as well as for all other endangered species that are currently listed under the ESA and struggling to make a recovery," noted Patricia Lane, senior attorney in the Animal Protection Litigation Section of The HSUS. "Judge Jones made it clear that this Administration will not be able to arbitrarily strip the wolf of its protection under the ESA."

The HSUS has been involved in wolf protection advocacy for decades and often works with other groups on a collaborative basis to promote the protection of the species. For more information, please visit www.hsus.org. Today's ruling came as a result of litigation brought by a coalition of conservation and animal protection organizations represented by the law firm of Faegre and Benson in this matter.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 8.5 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization is based in Washington, DC and has field representatives across the country. On the web at hsus.org.