Trump signs order to remove endangered species protection for grey wolves
The US president says the move will help ranchers, but conservationists say it could derail efforts to recover populations.
Donald Trump has signed an executive order to remove endangered species protection for the grey wolf and a subspecies, the Mexican wolf.
The US president's decision could pave the way for pastoral farmers to kill the canines to protect their livestock. His order said ranchers played a "vital role" in the food supply chain and American cultural heritage.
But conservation groups have criticised the move, saying it could derail long-term efforts to recover the endangered wolf populations.
Noting that US livestock herds were at a 75-year low while demand for beef had risen by 10% in the past decade, the order added: "More can and should be done to support this critical industry."