Lawsuit Challenges Feds’ Refusal to Release National Wolf Recovery Plan
A legal challenge has been filed against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding its decision not to develop a national recovery plan for the gray wolf. The lawsuit, brought by the Center for Biological Diversity on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, argues that the FWS is circumventing established law by declining to create a plan for the species’ nationwide recovery.
The Complex Status of the Gray Wolf
The gray wolf’s protected status in the United States is currently divided into three management approaches. Wolves in the Northern Rockies – encompassing Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and portions of Washington and Oregon – have been managed by state wildlife agencies for over a decade, allowing regulated hunting. Meanwhile, a population in Minnesota is listed as threatened, and wolves in the remaining 44 states are classified as endangered.
A History of Shifting Protections
In 2020, the FWS initially moved to delist gray wolves outside of the Northern Rockies. However, a federal judge in California reversed this decision in 2022. The current administration is basing its decision not to release a recovery plan on the 2020 status review, asserting that the species no longer meets the requirements for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Legal Challenge and Conservation Concerns
The Center for Biological Diversity, a leading advocate for wolf protection, contends that the FWS’s approach bypasses legal requirements. Collette Adkins, senior attorney and director of the Center’s Carnivore Conservation program, stated that the FWS “must finally follow the law and develop a plan to achieve nationwide wolf recovery.” The Center emphasizes the importance of wolves to America’s biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts in areas where the species is struggling, such as the West Coast and southern Rocky Mountains.
The Center previously initiated legal action to compel the FWS to create a comprehensive national recovery plan. In 2024, responding to a prior settlement, the Biden administration announced plans to develop the first National Recovery Plan for gray wolves in the Lower 48, but this effort stalled. The existing recovery plan, dating back to 1992, focuses solely on wolves in Minnesota.
State-Level Actions and Ongoing Conflicts
While federal policy is contested, some states are actively pursuing wolf recovery. Colorado initiated a wolf recovery program in late 2023 and released additional wolves in 2025. However, conflicts persist, as evidenced by Montana’s wolf hunting and trapping season. Conservation groups attempted to halt the season, arguing that the quota set by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks was excessively high and could harm the wolf population.
A judge ruled in December 2025 against halting the Montana season, citing insufficient evidence that it would cause irreversible population declines. As of February 11, 2026, 211 wolves have been killed during the hunting and trapping season, which runs through March 15, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of gray wolf protections?
Wolves in the Northern Rockies are managed by state wildlife agencies, Minnesota wolves are listed as threatened, and wolves in the remaining 44 states are listed as endangered.
Why is the Center for Biological Diversity suing the FWS?
The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the FWS because it believes the agency is failing to comply with the Endangered Species Act by not developing a national recovery plan for gray wolves.
What is happening with wolf hunting in Montana?
Montana is currently in its wolf hunting and trapping season, and a judge recently ruled against efforts to halt the season despite concerns about the hunting quota.
As the legal process unfolds, the future of gray wolf conservation in the United States remains uncertain. Will a national recovery plan be implemented, and how will it balance the needs of the species with the interests of various stakeholders?