[Michigan] DNR talk tells tale of U.P. wolves’ rebound, controversy

From MiningGazette.com:

ESCANABA — Following years of flip-flopping by both the state and federal governments on the animals’ protection status, “wolves are at a crossroads in Michigan,” said wildlife biologist Brian Roell, the large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at a recent presentation at Bay College in Escanaba.

Given the presence of wolves, whether they should be hunted has long been a controversial topic. Roell said that both sides of the debate — people who want to protect wolves and people who want hunting allowed — have been guilty of using falsehoods to push their arguments.

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Den site selection by Indian gray wolves in tribal landscapes of Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary considering ecological and cultural factors

From Nature.com:

Species that rely on dens are integral to sustaining ecosystem balance, and gaining insight into their den selection patterns is essential for successful conservation efforts. The Indian Gray Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) faces significant challenges in finding safe denning sites amidst India’s human-dominated landscapes.

The survival of this species depends heavily on its ability to coexist with humans. As one of the oldest wolf lineages, they have evolved separately and adapted to the semi-arid landscapes of India.

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Animal protection organisation warns that EU proposal to downgrade wolf protection may set the stage for wider attacks on EU nature laws

From HumaneWorld.org:

BRUSSELS—Humane World for Animals Europe (formerly called Humane Society International/Europe) warns that a new proposal to downgrade the protected status of wolves could open the floodgates to more serious attacks on EU nature laws.

In the wake of the December 2024 decision of the Bern Convention to lower the protected status of wolves, the European Commission yesterday put forward a proposal to amend the Annexes IV and V of the EU Habitats Directive to downgrade the protection status of wolves under EU law.

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Wolves Need Federal Protection to Survive

From MountainJournal.org:

January 2025 marked the 30th anniversary of wolves getting reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. On January 31, congressional representatives Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and introduced their “Pet and Livestock Protection Act.”

It would abolish Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado and Michigan, among other states.

“Protective listings,” wrote Boebert, are the work of “leftists [who] cower to radical environmentalists.”

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Wolf spotted on game cam in Jackson County [Colorado]

From SteamboatRadio.com:

A Jackson County producer has shared pictures with Steamboat Radio News of a wolf in the corrals on the rancher’s property, “about 40 yards from my front door.” The pictures are from 11:27 p.m. Sunday, March 23.

The rancher has asked to remain anonymous, and adds that Colorado Parks and Wildlife has been keeping the rancher informed, “really informed,” of when wolves are on or near the property adding that those notices have been coming repeatedly in the past week.

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A ballot measure to halt Colorado’s wolf reintroduction by 2026 hits next stage

From SummitDaily.com:

On Friday, March 21, Colorado Advocates for Smart Wolf Policy filed the final ballot language for a measure to end the reintroduction of wolves by 2026. The initiative will now begin the process of finalizing the ballot title before it begins collecting signatures.

To get on the November 2026 ballot, the initiative will need to obtain ​124,238 valid signatures.

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Alaska officials seek emergency rule to continue bear-killing program, despite court ruling

From AlaskaBeacon.com:

Alaska officials are seeking emergency authorization to keep killing bears and wolves in a region in the western part of the state even though a judge ruled a week ago that the state predator control program there was unconstitutional.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game on Friday petitioned the state Board of Game for an emergency regulation allowing the “intensive management” program to continue for a third year in the range of the ailing Mulchatna Caribou Herd.

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How Wolves Help Safeguard Ecosystems And What We Can Do to Protect Them

From Earth.org:

Wolves are more than just predators. They are a vital species whose presence or absence profoundly impacts the health and structure of their ecosystems.

Their predatory behaviors initiate several ecological effects, also known as trophic cascades, which maintain the balance and biodiversity of the surrounding habitats. By preying on large herbivores such as elk and deer, they help regulate the populations, which prevents overgrazing and in turn allows plant communities to thrive.

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Unlikely wolf pair sparks row in rural France

From France24.com:

A rare discovery in France of a pair of wolves, each from a distinct genetic background, has excited animal lovers demanding their protection and objections from farmers eager to protect livestock.

Environmental association Carduelis reported earlier this month it had spotted the pair of wolves, one a male German-Polish wolf — a species found mostly in western Poland and eastern Germany — and the other an Italian she-wolf, usually native to the Italian peninsula.

Many European countries have reported an increase in wolf populations, aided by a return of deer, wild boar and other forms of prey.

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Endangered apex predator found dead in Oregon, officials say: $30.5K reward offered

From Phys.org:

An endangered gray wolf was found illegally killed in Oregon, wildlife officials said.

Now, a combined reward of $30,500 is being offered to anyone who has “information that leads to an arrest, criminal conviction or civil penalty assessment,” the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said in a March 19 news release and the Center for Biological Diversity reported.

The apex predator’s body was discovered by wildlife officers March 10 near Sisters.

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