Feds approve Colorado’s plan to reintroduce wolves — and kill them in some cases

From Colorado Public Radio:

The federal government granted Colorado the authority to manage and kill wolves in specific circumstances on Tuesday, clearing a path for the state to meet a voter-approved deadline to release the predators by the end of the year.

The U.S. Endangered Species Act currently forbids anyone from harming or harassing wolves in Colorado. Under the final decision, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a special exception — known as a 10(j) permit — designating the predators as an “experimental population” within state boundaries.

 

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Federal agency finalizes rule that lets Colorado decide when people can kill gray wolves

From 9News:

DENVER — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) finalized a rule Tuesday that gives the state of Colorado authority to create its own rules for gray wolf management, including when someone would be allowed to kill a wolf.

The final 10(j) rule, which designates new gray wolves as a “nonessential experimental population, will go into effect Dec. 8. Colorado Parks and Wildlife intends to reintroduce wolves to the state by Dec. 31, because of a 2020 ballot proposition.

 

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Watch rare footage of wolf hunting sea otter in Alaska at low tide

From Live Science:

Wolves on the Alaskan coast now regularly kill and eat sea otters and harbor seals, scientists have discovered. The finding suggests that the coastal wolves can adapt their hunting behavior — and may have developed unique strategies to prey on marine mammals when food on land is scarce.

The study into coastal wolf hunting behaviour began in 2016 when scientists spotted a solitary wolf carrying a sea otter carcass at Swikshak Bay. In 2018 and 2019, scientists again observed wolves carrying sea otter carcasses. However, whether the wolves were hunting or scavenging was unclear.

 

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A true survivor, Yellowstone wolf pup issues ‘adult-like howl’

From For the Win:

This year’s lone surviving pup from a popular Yellowstone National Park wolf pack has expressed herself as a survivor and a force.

Taylor Rabe, a Yellowstone Wolf Project researcher, shared the accompanying footage showing the young wolf issuing an “adult-like howl” before continuing across the wintry landscape.

 

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A rare Mexican gray wolf is wandering out of bounds. She may be looking for a mate

From Texas Public Radio:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Northern New Mexico or bust — that seems to be the case for at least one Mexican gray wolf that is intent on wandering beyond the boundaries set for managing the rarest subspecies of gray wolf in North America.

Federal and state wildlife managers confirmed Thursday that the endangered female wolf has traveled north of Interstate 40 and beyond a recovery zone that spans parts of southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona. It was documented crossing the interstate west of Albuquerque last week and most recently was tracked to a mountainous area west of Jemez Springs.

 

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Mexican Wolf Heads North Towards Valles Caldera National Preserve

From National Parks Traveler:

A female Mexican wolf with a penchant for roaming has turned up in northern New Mexico near Valles Caldera National Preserve, hundreds of miles from the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area.

Asha was tracked recently to Jemez Springs on the southern boundary of the national preserve, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Late last year the wolf also had roamed north, prompting Fish and Wildlife Service crews to capture her and return her to the experimental population area.

 

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GOP bill would end restrictions on spring hound hunting and training in northern Wisconsin

From Wisconsin Public Radio:

A GOP proposal would eliminate restrictions for hound hunting and training on wild animals during the spring in northern Wisconsin, drawing support from hound hunters and opposition from animal protection groups.

Sen. Romaine Quinn, R-Cameron, and Rep. Chanz Green, R-Grand View, are lead authors of the legislation.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources currently bars people from hunting or training with dogs on free-roaming wild animals from May 1 to June 30 on any public or private lands in northern Wisconsin. The restricted area extends along a line north of U.S. Highway 8 in northwestern Wisconsin to State Highway 22 in northeastern Wisconsin.

 

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Arrival of male red wolf brings new hope to Durham museum’s mating program for endangered species

From WHQR Public Media:

A new red wolf has arrived at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham.

Museum staff said they hope the new male will help with population recovery efforts for the endangered species. Red wolves are considered the rarest wolf species in the world. The only wild population exists in North Carolina, with fewer than 20 red wolves.

Nine-year-old Adeyha joined the museum last week. Sherry Samuels, the museum’s senior director of animal care, said Adeyha’s name comes from the Cherokee language, meaning “in the oak woods.” Fittingly, he’ll be paired for breeding with Oak, the museum’s female red wolf.

 

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Biologists are keeping a close eye on a rare Mexican wolf that is wandering out of bounds

From Manistee News Advocate:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Northern New Mexico or bust — that seems to be the case for at least one Mexican gray wolf that is intent on wandering beyond the boundaries set for managing the rarest subspecies of gray wolf if North America.

 

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Wolf attacks on pets reported in Ely and Babbitt areas

From The Timberjay:

BABBITT- Anthony Bremel, the local conservation officer for the Babbitt area cautioned pet owners to be aware of recent wolf attacks on pets, which may be more likely given the low deer population.

 

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