IDAHO GOVERNOR MEETS WITH U.S.
FISH AND WILDLIFE DIRECTOR

BOISE – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Dale Hall was in Boise today meeting with Idaho Governor Jim Risch to discuss wolves in Idaho and Montana. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer also participated in the meeting via speakerphone.

The governors strongly urged the director for progress to be made on de-listing. Director Hall assured the governors that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was working hard on the issue. Both governors noted that their management plans for wolves have been approved and they have assumed some management responsibilities.

“We had an excellent discussion of the issue and I am confident that Director Hall wants to move forward,” said Risch. “The wolf population in Idaho has far exceeded the recovery plans and it is time to put the management of wolves in state hands. Idaho is ready, Montana is ready, now we need the federal government to make that happen.”

Wolves were listed as an endangered species in 1985. In 1995 a reintroduction program was established and over the next several years 35 wolves were introduced into the state. In 2004 there were approximately 420-500 wolves with 43 documented packs in Idaho.

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