Obama and Salazar Uphold Bush Decision to Remove Wolves in Western States from Endangered List

Guess I am a bit disappointed. Citing wolves' comeback in several Western states and around the Great Lakes area, Obama's Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Friday kept in place the Bush Administration's recent removal of wolves from the list of endangered species.

I had posted earlier how I was suspicious of Bush's last minute decision on this before he left office in January. Obama said this would be reviewed, and so it was, but I guess I was hoping for an outcome more in favor of the wolves. As I said, I know a balance must be struck between humans and wildlife, but I think wildlife often gets shafted.

The federal government is also turning over management of the wolf populations to each state. But I question this move. I know the country is in financial straits, but I fear the states might cut corners--and once again, the wolves suffer.

Obama said the wolves' resurgence was a great "success story" of the Endangered Species Act, and he does have a point. Wolves will remain on the endangered list in Wyoming, the Southwest and several other states.

Environmental groups are, naturally, not so happy about Salazar's decision, including SaveWolves.org.