Under the mistaken belief that wolves have recovered and can be turned over to state management, some in Congress are vocally supporting legislation to remove protections for wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

Several bills have already been introduced that would strip protections for the gray wolf in parts or all of their range -- opening these top predators up to being shot, gassed and killed. Passage of any of these bills would have a devastating effect on the future of wolves in America, and, more importantly, on the federal Endangered Species Act itself.

Legislatively removing protections for wolves would set a terrible precedent whereby species -- many less popular or charismatic than wolves -- could be removed from the life-saving protections of the endangered species list one at a time. To date, Congress has stayed away from such political intrusions into endangered-species management, and we need to make sure it doesn't start now.