Making peace in the Golan Heights—between humans and wolves

From NationalGeographic.com:

THE GOLAN HEIGHTS remains one of the world’s most notorious disputed territories. Largely occupied by Israel, its eastern reaches are controlled by Syria and Syrian rebels—and it’s been fought over for at least the last 70-some years.

The landscape is notable for its militarily advantageous high grounds, supplies of oil and freshwater, and extraordinary natural habitat. There, mixed with surprising wildlife like jackals and gazelle on the verge of extinction, 25,000 cattle roam the grassy bluffs of Golan’s volcanic plateau. The herds are kept by Jewish and Druze farmers ranging from Mount Hermon south to the Sea of Galilee’s receding arms.

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Ethiopia: The Last Wolves

From Earth Touch News.com:

A thick layer of frost blankets the landscape, creating a gauzy haze over the tans and pale greens of the Ethiopian Highlands. Amidst the frozen stillness, a rust-colored lump dusted in rime stirs. A black nose appears from beneath a thick tail, and two ears twitch atop an elegantly long head. At last, the wolf rises, arches its back in a long stretch, and shakes. Nearby, several other pack members rise as well, touching noses in greeting. Pups, just weeks old, emerge from a shallow den and begin playing, scrambling over rocks, tugging at each other’s tails. As the sky brightens, the adults trot off to patrol the edge of the group’s territory and begin the day’s hunt.

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Necropsies detail deaths of 2 wolves in Isle Royale relocation effort

From MLive.com:

ISLE ROYALE, MI – Necropsy results have been released for two wolves that died after being part of the early phase of the National Park Service’s efforts to bring new wolves onto Michigan’s Isle Royale.

The medical findings for one wolf’s death were fairly clear-cut, while scientists working on the project believe they know what killed the other wolf, according to information released by the NPS recently.

 

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Translocated wolves faring well on Isle Royale, according to GPS data

Earlier this afternoon, we received an update from Isle Royale National Park on how the wolves recently moved there are doing. 
Here’s what we know:
• The seven wolves moved to Isle Royale on the weekend of March 23 are all moving around and apparently doing well – each is showing large movements around the island.

This photo was taken by Ashley McLaren of the OMNRF

• A female wolf that was moved to the island last fall appears to be traveling with 007, the first Michipicoten male that was moved in February.
• The breeding male from Michipicoten (009), moved March 1, is spending the bulk of his time on the west end of the island. Prior to the March 23 translocation, he was primarily on the east end of the island.
• The black wolf known as 016, moved from the Canadian mainland on March 23, has circumnavigated the island in his first week there.

We will continue to share these updates with you when possible. 

 

Wolf Center to award Summit Brewery owner ‘Leader of the Pack’ award at Roseville gala

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota:

Mark Stutrud, owner of Summit Brewing Co. in St. Paul, will be honored April 11 with a “Leader of the Pack” award by the International Wolf Center.

The award is given to those with a pioneering spirit leading the pack in the Twin Cities. He was nominated by a member of the committee planning the “Howl at the Moon Gala” at Midland Hills Country Club in St. Paul, a fundraising event where Stutrud will receive the award.

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Wolf pack living west of Cascade Mountains for first time in decades

From the Seattle Times:

Western Washington has its first wolf pack in decades, an indication that wolf recovery is on track and a sign that the canines are expanding their range in a healthier ecosystem, wildlife officials say.

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Washington’s wolf population increases for 10th straight year

From the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife:

OLYMPIA – The recovery of Washington’s wolf population continued in 2018 as numbers of individual wolves, packs, and successful breeding pairs reached their highest levels since wolves were virtually eliminated from the state in the 1930s.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today published its annual year-end report, which shows the state has a minimum of 126 individual wolves, 27 packs, and 15 successful breeding pairs – male and female adults who have raised at least two pups that survived through the end of the year. A year ago, those numbers were 122, 22, and 14, respectively.

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Italy rejects demands for a wolf cull as numbers increase in the Alps and Apennines

From the Telegraph:

Demands by Italian farmers for the country’s burgeoning wolf population to be culled have been rejected by the government, with a newly launched management plan insisting that man and beast can co-exist.

After months of debate, the coalition has come up with a wolf management plan which firmly rejects the shooting, poisoning or trapping of wolves.

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Washington state committee backs money for nonlethal wolf control

From The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington:

OLYMPIA – The state could spend nearly $1 million over the next two years on nonlethal ways to keep wolves from killing livestock in northeast Washington.

A proposal with support from ranchers and some wildlife advocates has already passed the House, and received approval from a key Senate committee Tuesday. It would direct the Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop different management plans for wolves in different regions of the state, with more support to control wolves in the part of the state where they are rapidly multiplying.

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Washington bill concedes uneven wolf recovery

From the Capital Press:

OLYMPIA — Wolves in northeast Washington could be managed differently than in other parts of the state under a bill endorsed Tuesday by the Senate agriculture committee.

If passed by the Legislature, House Bill 2097 would be an unprecedented acknowledgment by lawmakers that wolves have affected life in one corner of the state, even though statewide recovery has lagged.

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