JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) -- More than 230 scientists have signed a letter opposing plans to remove wolves in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho from Endangered Species Act protection.

Wildlife biologists, ecologists and other researchers from nearly all 50 states signed the letter, which was sent to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf recovery coordinator Ed Bangs during a public comment period that ended Wednesday.

The scientists said wolves in the three states still face threats because their numbers remain relatively small and because the wolf populations in the Yellowstone area, in central Idaho and in northwest Montana don't intermingle.

The letter criticized plans for maintaining at least 300 wolves and 30 breeding pairs across the three states.

''This recovery goal is not based on any biologically relevant information such as demographic or genetic data,'' the letter stated.

The scientists also said that Idaho and Wyoming plan to kill as many wolves as they are allowed to under federal law.

''We understand that the governor of Idaho, C.L. Butch Otter, has vowed to expeditiously reduce the current number of wolves in his state from around 700 to the FWS's minimal standard of just 100 wolves for that state,'' the letter said.

''Legislation recently passed in Wyoming would allow hunting of wolves until only seven breeding pairs occur within the state.''

Some 1,300 wolves now roam central Idaho, northwestern Wyoming and western Montana, more than a decade after they were first reintroduced to the region.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says that figure is more than four times the number of wolves needed to consider removing a species from federal protections. The agency is proposing turning over wolf management to state wildlife officials. Each state would be required to maintain a minimum of 100 wolves including 10 breeding pairs.

Each state has written a plan for managing wolves after their removal from federal protection, but Wyoming and the federal government have been at an impasse over Wyoming's plan, which would allow wolves to be shot on sight in much of the state.

Federal officials have said that a delisting proposal could be finalized by early next year, although legal challenges could drag out the process.

Information from: Jackson Hole News & Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com