From University of Montana:
MISSOULA – Montanans have varying attitudes and beliefs about wolves and wolf management, and over time some of those feelings have shifted, according to a new survey conducted cooperatively by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the University of Montana.
The survey was distributed three times – in 2012, 2017 and 2023 – tracking trends in how residents view wolves and wolf management. It provides insights to wildlife managers and officials tasked with making decisions on wolf management.
“We know people have complicated views and values on wolves, which is reflected in the results of the survey and the trends we see,” said Quentin Kujala, FWP chief of conservation policy. “It’s important for us and our partners at the University to continue research like this because how stakeholders feel about wildlife and its management is a critical awareness for FWP to have.”
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Colorado secures next wolf supply source from tribes in another Pacific Northwest state
From Greeley Tribune:
Native American tribes in eastern Washington will supply up to 15 wolves to Colorado next winter under an agreement announced Friday that marks a major step forward for the state’s reintroduction efforts.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation will allow state wildlife officials to capture wolves on the tribes’ land from December through March 2025. Last month, CPW released the first 10 wolves, captured in neighboring Oregon, as part of a plan to reintroduce up to 50 of the apex predators to the state in coming years.
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Colorado ranchers fear decimation as wolves roam Western Slope
From The Denver Gazette:
Don Gittleson, a rancher from Walden, Colorado, was out in the pasture in a noisy diesel pickup truck one night when he heard a disturbing noise at the far end of his herd.
His truck’s lights were on.
He drove toward the noise and, to his horror, saw three wolves attacking a calf.
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Washington leaders try to find solutions for wolf depredations and killing of wolves
From Northwest Public Broadcasting:
Some ranchers are saying it is time to find creative ways to deal with wolf attacks on livestock. That’s what a new bill in the Washington state Senate hopes to do – to the frustration of some wildlife rights groups.
A big goal of Senate Bill 5939 is to lethally remove wolves that chronically attack livestock. Right now, ranchers say current methods – with all the paperwork and decisions – are like disciplining your pet, days later. The wolves don’t understand why they are being targeted.
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Ranchers say relationships ruined with wildlife officials since wolves reintroduced
From KUSA News:
KREMMLING, Colo. — One month ago, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) reintroduced wolves in Colorado. CPW released the first wolves into Grand County, and since then ranchers tell us they have received almost no communication about the apex predators.
“Really haven’t heard much from CPW, mostly it’s just been locals and local sightings,” said Tim Ritschard, a fifth-generation rancher in Grand County.
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Washington leaders try to find solutions for wolf depredations and killing of wolves
From KUOW:
Some ranchers are saying it is time to find creative ways to deal with wolf attacks on livestock. That’s what a new bill in the Washington state Senate hopes to do – to the frustration of some wildlife rights groups.
A big goal of Senate Bill 5839 is to lethally remove wolves that chronically attack livestock. Right now, ranchers say, current methods – with all the paperwork and decisions – are like disciplining your pet, days later. The wolves don’t understand why they are being targeted.
Click here for the full story.
Five released wolves receive their names through a student poll
From KOAA News 5:
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The reintroduction of gray wolves into Colorado has been big news. After nearly 80 years the decision was made to integrate wolves into the state once more, and saw a group of an initial five wolves released into the wild.
While being released into the wild to roam freely, the wolves are bringing something domestic with them, thanks to a group of approximately 200,000 students from the fifth to the eighth grade from across Colorado.
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Colorado Range Scientist Says Wolf Reintroduction Will Be Good For Ranchers & Hunters
From Cowboy State Daily:
The ultimate outcome of Colorado’s wolf reintroduction might be unclear, but it doesn’t have to be the disaster some have made it out to be, a conservationist told Cowboy State Daily.
“People are worried that wolves are going to kill elk, kill deer, kill cattle and kill sheep. And they’ll do all of that, those fears are not unfounded,” said Matt Barnes, a range scientist who has worked on wolf and grizzly bear conflict mitigation on ranches in Wyoming and Montana.
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Inslee orders new wolf removal rules in Washington
From The Spokesman-Review:
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has ordered wildlife officials to draft new rules for dealing with wolf-livestock conflicts, delivering a win to environmental groups seeking stricter limits on wolf kills.
The governor granted an appeal from several environmental groups that sought to overturn the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission’s rejection of the groups’ petition seeking changes to how the state deals with wolves that attack or kill livestock.
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Rare camera footage shows a wolf hunting a beaver in the waters of northern Minnesota
From CBS News:
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A wild sight caught on camera: A wolf bounding into a river to hunt its prey near Grand Rapids. Its prey? A beaver.
“I couldn’t believe I was seeing it,” said Jon Galler.
Galler was deer hunting between Lake Mille Lacs and Grand Rapids back in November.
Galler thought what he heard was a deer. “Of course it wasn’t a deer, it was a wolf,” said Galler.
“The minute that beaver made a noise, it was a millisecond, and that wolf’s ears perked up,” Galler explained. “Next thing I know, he’s lunging through the water. He reached underneath and pulled that beaver right up.”
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SURVEY FINDS GROWING TOLERANCE AMONG MONTANANS FOR WOLVES
From University of Montana:
MISSOULA – Montanans have varying attitudes and beliefs about wolves and wolf management, and over time some of those feelings have shifted, according to a new survey conducted cooperatively by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the University of Montana.
The survey was distributed three times – in 2012, 2017 and 2023 – tracking trends in how residents view wolves and wolf management. It provides insights to wildlife managers and officials tasked with making decisions on wolf management.
“We know people have complicated views and values on wolves, which is reflected in the results of the survey and the trends we see,” said Quentin Kujala, FWP chief of conservation policy. “It’s important for us and our partners at the University to continue research like this because how stakeholders feel about wildlife and its management is a critical awareness for FWP to have.”
Click here for the full story.