When gray wolves were prematurely stripped of their federal protections last year, an epidemic of cruelty and senseless killing was catalyzed across the country. After decades of investments and slow progress toward recovery, their future is once again in jeopardy. NRDC is fighting to restore protections for this majestic species. Donate today to sustain our fight! | NRDC

Against all odds, gray wolves have managed to return from the brink of extinction--a cause for celebration considering how vital they are to keeping the ecosystem in balance. | National Geographic TV

Gray wolves in the United States Lower 48 have rebounded from just a few hundred in the 1970s to ~6,000 wolves today (not to mention the more than 10,000 in Alaska)! That recovery is a direct result of the Endangered Species Act, strong science, and decades of on-the-ground conservation. On Thursday the House passed H.R. 845, delisting the gray wolf from the ESA, barring frivolous litigation and judicial review, and returning management to the states — recognizing this recovery while allowing fo