Federal court overturns decision denying Endangered Species protections to wolves

From DailyMontanan.com:

A federal judge in Missoula on Tuesday vacated the federal government’s determination that gray wolves in the Western United States do not need increased federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Several coalitions of conservation groups, including several from Montana, filed lawsuits in federal district court last year against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in an attempt to force the agency to reapply ESA protections to the species.

The groups praised the decision from the federal district court in Montana as a step forward towards providing greater protection for the iconic species.

Click here for the full story.

14-year-old from Sisters [Oregon] maps Metolius River wolves with trail cameras

From CentralOregonDaily.com:

SISTERS, Ore. — Oregon’s annual wolf report was published last week, documenting the ongoing presence of a pack of wolves in the Metolius River basin. The wolves are near Camp Sherman, on Green Ridge and around Black Butte. It’s something to keep in mind when you are out there camping, fishing and hiking.

Click here for the full story.

NC lawmakers introduce bipartisan resolution to support red wolves

From CBS17.com:

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – A pair of U.S. representatives from North Carolina are advocating for the federal government to continue to protect the small population of red wolves.

Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and Congressman Greg Murphy (NC-03) joined together to propose a bipartisan resolution for continued red wolf repopulation and recovery effort support, including building wildlife corridors.

Click here for the full story.

Outdoor sporting groups appeal federal court ruling on gray wolf protections

FRom UtahNewsDispatch.com:

A coalition of outdoor sporting groups intend to appeal the decision by a federal judge in Montana that directed the federal government to reconsider whether gray wolves in the Rocky Mountains require additional protections under the Endangered Species Act.

Click here for the full story.

Yellowstone-area wolves observed moving pups to follow elk — upending scientific assumptions

From WyoFile.com:

Scientific research has long assumed gray wolves are non-migratory during springtime, staying anchored to tend to litters of nearly helpless pups. For the first weeks of life, after all, pups are blind, deaf and extremely vulnerable.

Click here for the full story.

Wolves remain under state control in Idaho following legal victory for conservationists

From Spokane Public Radio:

Although conservationists are celebrating a legal victory this week in their fight to restore protections for wolves in the West, wolves remain under state control in Idaho, where hunting and trapping remain legal, Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials said Thursday.

Click here for the full story.

The man who led Yellowstone’s wolf reintroduction has a lot to say about Colorado’s efforts

From SummitDaily.com:

Wolf watchers in the Lamar Valley of Montana are also watching to see if Colorado’s wolf program will succeed. An architect of Yellowstone’s program says it could — and needs to.

Click here for the full story.

Wolves’ continued spread in California brings joy, controversy & conflicts

From Mongabay.com:

After nearly a century’s absence, gray wolves continue to recolonize California, bringing changes and challenges to the state and its inhabitants.

Ongoing research and monitoring programs are helping scientists understand growing wolf populations and their impact on prey species, other predators and alterations to the landscape.

Click here for the full story.

Local Management Critical as Courts Reopen Wolf Protection Debate

From Northern Ag Network:

On August 5, a federal judge in Montana vacated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s standing determination that gray wolves in the Western U.S. do not warrant protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The court ordered the agency to re-evaluate wolf policy—including in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and parts of Washington, Oregon, and Utah—using the best available science and full consideration of threats, historical range loss, and state regulatory frameworks.

Click here for the full story.

New wolf pups join pack at International Wolf Center

From MSN:

Two wolf pups have been successfully introduced to the exhibit pack at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minn.

Click here for the full story.