Like most additions to the endangered or threatened list, groups have had to sue to get the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to take their petition seriously.
There are those who mistakenly say that all it takes is a 39 cent stamp to put a species on the list. In fact, you have to have good scientific evidence, and even when you do, nowadays you usually have to convice a federal judge to order the USFWS to do its job. Judges do not entertain, much less rule in favor of frivolus suits.
Now the USFWS may make a 12 month study whether to list the wolverine, one of the classic wilderness animals.
Story in Missoulian.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Ralph,
I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to see 4 wolverines
in the Absaroka Mountains between Cody and Yellowstone including a female with two kits that I was able to get some fairly extensive video of. So, there are still at least a few of them out there.
Dale
I must have spent 200 or so days hiking/backpacking/driving around in the Absaroka. I am jealous, and very glad to hear you were so fortunate. I knew they inhabited the Greater Yellowstone because the elk mortality study that was completed about a year ago found one elk calf killed by a wolverine. Seeing 4 is amazing. I’ve never seen one anywhere in the wilds. Ralph Maughan.
Ralph,
If you ever get to Cody and would like to see the video, look me up. I also have some great video of bears feeding on moth sites that might interest you.
Dale