Wilderness group wants wolves, cougars on NY wildlife plan

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A wilderness preservation group is calling on New York state officials to study the reintroduction of wolves and cougars to the Adirondacks.

The group Protect the Adirondacks says the state's updated Wildlife Action Plan contains no mention of possible reintroduction of the big predators. The federally mandated action plan, updated every 10 years, guides state management of species and habitats.

Public comments are being accepted on New York's plan until Friday. The plan drafted by the Department of Environmental Conservation includes assessments for 597 species, identifying population trends and threats.

A DEC spokesman says Wednesday that the action plan focuses on species that currently have populations in New York state. There hasn't been a resident population of wolves or cougars in New York for 150 years.

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