Gov. Mead: Federal Protection for Wyoming Wolves Will End Soon

A meeting on Thursday in Cheyenne between Wyoming Governor Matt Mead and two federal officials has led Mead to believe an agreement will be reached soon to end federal protections for wolves in Wyoming. The Governor discussed wolf management with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Director and said the meeting was a move towards a solution that works for Wyoming.

Mead made a commitment to the officials that Wyoming would maintain at least 100 wolves outside of Yellowstone National Park and says an agreement is possible to expand an area where wolf hunting is regulated in northwest Wyoming.  Currently, 300 wolves in Wyoming live outside the park according to the AP.

Salazar is expecting to publish a formal rule by the end of August which would implement the ending of federal oversight.

I am pleased to report that we agree in principle on major issues and have worked on details that have been stumbling blocks to an approved Wyoming plan.
-Governor Matt Mead

Any accepted plan would need approval by the state legislature. Governor Mead firmly advocates that any deal also must have Congressional consent as well and he thanked them for their assistance for their assistance in moving the process forward.