Studies demonstrate the majority of North Carolina residents support red wolf recovery. The plaintiff s lawsuit is a threat not just to red wolves, but also to the entire Endangered Species Act program , said Michael Senatore, wildlife counsel for Defenders of Wildlife. The 1998 ruling clearly reaffirmed the authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve our nation s endangered species and it bolstered ongoing efforts to restore wolves in other parts of the country. This latest appeal is something we anticipated, and it s something we are prepared to fight. In addition to creating a more diverse ecosystem, the wolves have the potential to generate millions of tourist dollars for the eastern North Carolina region.
People love the wolves.
They are exquisite, mysterious creatures that belong on this land, said Schlickeisen. The people accept these wolves, the land in North Carolina accepts these wolves, and so does the law.