Are wolves adequately protected with the nonessential experimental designation?
Nonessential experimental Mexican wolves are still protected under the ESA. The special rules for the nonessential experimental population are very specific as to if, when and how management actions can be taken to control wolves that depredate livestock. Also, the designation allows for greater management flexibility to capture, monitor or translocate animals. Many wolf biologists believe that wolf recovery cannot be achieved successfully without management to integrate wolves with human populations and livestock production. Selective control of individual wolves that depredate livestock encourages wolf populations that focus on wild prey and fosters tolerance of wolves by livestock producers. This increases public support for wolves and enhances the success of recovery efforts.
