Much to the dismay of wildlife and conservation groups, the lone female gray wolf named Echo that was seen at the north rim of the Grand Canyon in 2014 was shot in Utah in December.
The hunter, who shot the wolf, claimed he thought she was a coyote. This was the first wolf sighting in the region in about 75 years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed last week that it was indeed the same wolf.
“Echo made it for a long ways. We actually estimate that she traveled more than 750 miles,” said Michael Robinson, conservation advocate, Center for Biological Diversity.
The shooting comes at a time when federal agencies are considering rolling back the endangered species protection on wolves.
“They need to stay on the federal endangered species list,” Robinson said. “Wolves are very vulnerable, here’s the only wolf that was in Utah and she was shot. That indicates they still need Endangered Species Act protection.”
Those in the west are left to wonder if it will be another 75 years before another wolf is seen in this part of the country.
GUEST
Michael Robinson, conservation advocate, Center For Biological Diversity
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