Rep. Fitzgerald Votes to Control Wisconsin’s Gray Wolf Population

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act.

“Wisconsin farmers and ranchers work hard to provide for their families and feed our communities. They should not have to worry about predators threatening their livestock because of outdated federal restrictions and decisions by activist judges.

“The Pet and Livestock Protection Act delists the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act and returns management to state wildlife officials who understand local needs. This legislation allows members of the agricultural community to protect their livelihoods while ensuring responsible wildlife management.”

Background: In 2013, the Obama Administration proposed delisting the gray wolf because the population had reached a level where it was no longer facing extinction. Since that time, the gray wolf population in the continental United States has continued growing and is now greater than 6,000.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) removed the gray wolf from the Endangered Species (ESA) Act on January 4, 2021, after the gray wolf exceeded the agency's targeted population goal. However, on February 10th, 2022, a federal court vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's final gray wolf delisting rule, which means gray wolves in Wisconsin are currently under the protection of the ESA once more.

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