Europe’s wolf population on the rise

From Wildlife.org:

Despite a worldwide decline in carnivores, wolf populations in Europe have increased almost 60%. In a study published in PLOS Sustainability and Transformation, researchers collected data on wolf (Canis lupus) numbers in 34 European countries. They found wolf numbers on the continent went up from 12,000 in 2012 to 12,500 a decade later.

In addition, the researchers found that on average wolves killed 0.02% of livestock each year. The authors said that while the wolves’ rapid recovery is impressive, the challenge will now be helping humans and wildlife coexist in the long term.

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[Netherlands] Government parties okay with culling wolves, but unclear about conditions

From NLTimes.nl:

The coalition parties agree that culling wolves is a possibility, but they disagreed about in which cases this should be allowed in a parliamentary debate on the wolf on Tuesday evening. There are proposals in Europe to reduce the strictly protected status of wolves. The Cabinet, in anticipation of this, is working on plans to tackle “problem wolves,” the definition of which is also still being worked on, NOS and ANP report.

“Sometimes it is a war zone in the countryside,” said BBB leader Caroline van der Plas, who finally got this debate after requesting it time and again. “We are not saying: all wolves should be shot. But where a wolf shows problem behavior, there should be an option to opt for active repelling and shooting if necessary.”

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Pitkin County [Colorado] ranchers speak out following recent wolf depredation

From AspenTimes.com:

Ranchers in Pitkin County are calling on the public to recognize the real-world consequences of wolf reintroduction, following the first confirmed livestock kill by wolves in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Ginny Harrington, who ranches with her husband, Tom, near Carbondale, said the incident has been downplayed in recent media coverage, which she believes fails to reflect the actual toll on ranchers.

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Montana FWP Releases New Wolf Management Plan March 27, 2025

From NorthernMag.net:

HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released the 2025 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan today, wrapping up an extensive public process to capture updates to wolf management strategies and research into a new plan.

The final 2025 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (2025 Wolf Plan) incorporates updates in wolf-related research, more than 20 years of management experience, evolution in conflict management, new laws, social perspectives, and public input.

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Day 12 and the wolf keeps showing up each night at the same Jackson County [Colorado] ranch

From SteamboatRadio.com:

The wolf was caught on his game camera again at 9 p.m. Wednesday night. He says Colorado Parks and Wildlife agents came by around 10 p.m. with two drones and 4-wheelers to scare the wolf off and get it away from the area. The producer says CPW agents texted him that the wolf was gone and the wolf shouldn’t be back, “at least for a while.”

The wolf was back around midnight.

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Bergman wants wolves de-listed [Michigan]

From MiningGazette.com:

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, has announced his support for removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list, expressing strong support for H.R. 845, the Pet and Livestock Protection Act. The bill would require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

According to a March 25 release from his office, Bergman participated in a hearing by the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, underscoring the need to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List.

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Lassen County [California] Sheriff expresses concern after seven wolf attacks on livestock in past week

FromActionNewsNow.com:

LASSEN COUNTY, Calif. – The Lassen County Sheriff on Monday sent a letter to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife asking for help with the increase of wolf attacks on livestock around the county and a lack of fear towards humans shown by the wolves.

Sheriff John McGarva tells Action News Now that since 2016, grey wolves have been a problem in Lassen County. According to McGarva, there have been seven attacks by wolves in Lassen County in the past week.

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March brings big movements for Colorado’s collared gray wolves

From AspenTimes.com:

It was a month of widespread movements and exploration for Colorado’s collared gray wolves.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s latest watershed map — which shows activity between Feb. 25 and March 25 — the wolves were located in watersheds predominantly across Pitkin, Garfield, Rio Blanco, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Pitkin, Eagle counties as well as to the southeast in Clear Creek, Park and Chaffee counties. Some portions of watersheds in northern Gunnison County and northern Summit County also show activity.

Compared to the previous 30 days, the latest map shows more expansive exploration in the region by the animals.

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FWP releases Montana Wolf Management Plan

From NBCMontana.com:

HELENA, Mont. — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks released the 2025 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan on Wednesday.

The final plan establishes that 450 wolves would ensure there are 15 breeding pairs.

“The former wolf plan served us well, but it was time to make sure our management plan contained the evolutions we’ve made in wolf research, monitoring, conflict management, and the changes to the legal framework we operate under today,” said FWP Director Christy Clark in a press release.

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In the hills of Italy, wolves returned from the brink. Then the poisonings began

From TheGuardian.com:

High on a mountain pass near the town of Cocullo in central Italy lay six black sacks. Inside were nine wolves, including a pregnant female and seven youngsters – an entire pack. They had eaten slabs of poisoned veal left out a few days earlier, dying over the hours that followed, snarls of pain fixed on their faces.

Three griffon vultures and two ravens were also killed, probably alongside more animals that went into hiding, dying out of sight. Poison creates a succession of death, spreading through entire food chains and contaminating land and water for years.

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