Entries by Carissa Winter

CPW director: Review of initial wolf releases planned

The Daily Sentinel: The director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife says the agency plans to conduct “an after action review” of its initial operation to release gray wolves in Colorado and indicated that one area it plans to work on is advanced notification for future releases.   Click here for the full story.

Never Ending Wolf Wars

From Flathead Beacon: Earlier this week a friend shared a story from 2011 suggesting how some environmental groups miscalculated their legal approach to wolf reintroduction, and that in turn, they’d maybe harmed the long-term viability of the program. The story was written by Montana outdoor writing dean Hal Herring. Reading it was like being startled […]

After an 80-year absence, gray wolves have returned to Colorado − here’s how the reintroduction of this apex predator will affect prey and plants

From The Conversation: Gray wolves were reintroduced to Colorado in December 2023, the latest attempt in a decadeslong effort to build up wolf populations in the Rocky Mountain states. SciLine interviewed Joanna Lambert, professor of wildlife ecology and director of the American Canid Project at the University of Colorado Boulder, who discussed how and why gray wolf […]

A lawsuit says wolf traps are endangering grizzly bears

From Boise State Public Radio: Conservation groups are trying to stop wolf trapping in Idaho, saying the practice threatens endangered grizzly bears. Thirteen groups filed a lawsuit saying traps and snares for wolves could also kill grizzlies and they asked a federal judge last week to stop the practice when bears are not hibernating.   Click here for […]

WOLF PREDATION ON BEAVERS CAN ALTERS ECOSYSTEMS

From the Wildlife Society: When wolves prey on beavers in and around Voyageurs National Park, cascading effects ripple throughout the whole ecosystem. Researchers have been documenting wolves going after the aquatic rodents, but they didn’t know much about some of the dynamics—factors that could have implications for the environment, since beavers are ecosystem engineers. “We’ve […]

Washington state bill would allow targeted wolf response on livestock losses

From Ag Daily: Washington lawmakers have introduced a new bill allowing ranchers to shoot the first wolf that comes back to feed on killed livestock. Senate Bill 5939 is co-sponsored by Republican state Sen. Keith Wagoner and Democratic state Sen. Kevin Van De Wege. The legislation allows for a three-year pilot initiative wherein individuals associated with the livestock, such […]

Wolves through the ages: A journey of coexistence, conflict, and conservation

From East Mojo: Wolves, with their widespread distribution from North America to Eurasia, are ecologically vital as keystone species, playing a critical role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems by regulating prey populations. Their influence extends to increasing biodiversity and reshaping landscapes, thus fostering more robust and diverse natural environments.   Click here […]