From The Outer Banks Voice:
On April 18, the Red Wolf Recovery Program confirmed the birth of a wild litter of Red Wolf pups in the Milltail area of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. While this is the third year in a row for a litter in that area, it was far from a given that it would occur this year after the tragic loss of 2323 (the previous breeding male in the Milltail family group) in September 2023.
In a bold attempt to create a new breeding pair, an acclimation pen was quickly constructed in October 2023 within the home range of the resident wild adult female Red Wolf (2225) who birthed the previous two litters. A male Red Wolf (2191), born at Wolf Haven International in Tenino, Washington as part of the Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, was then placed in it. His release from the pen in late January 2024 was purposefully timed with the breeding season and he and 2225 soon appeared to become a pair.
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Gray wolf report outlines management and conservation efforts, highlights a decrease in conflicts and an increase in population
From Wyoming Game and Fish Department:
Wyoming’s gray wolf population continues to achieve all management goals, according to the 2023 Wyoming Gray Wolf Monitoring and Management annual report by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and partnering agencies.
Wyoming is maintaining wolf numbers at healthy levels, and 2023 marked the 22nd consecutive year wolf numbers in Wyoming have exceeded the criteria outlined for recovery of the species. The newly-published document details an increase in the gray wolf population and a noted decrease in livestock depredation — with the lowest number of verified livestock conflicts since 2010.
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Stunning ‘lone wolf’ spotted in Minnesota is a rare sight. Here’s why
From Yahoo News:
Researchers who study wolves in northern Minnesota often capture videos of the creatures as they walk past trail cameras.
And while it’s always exciting to see wildlife in their natural habitat, there’s something extra special about a wolf that was recently spotted on camera.
This wolf had black fur — a rare sight for the area.
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Wisconsin judge dismisses lawsuit challenging state’s new wolf management plan
From WBAY:
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A lawsuit filed by animal welfare advocates seeking to invalidate Wisconsin’s new wolf management plan was dismissed by a judge on Monday.
Dane County Circuit Judge Stephen Ehlke threw out the case that accused Wisconsin wildlife officials of violating the state’s open meetings law and disregarding comments from wolf researchers and supporters, reflecting how contentious the debate over wolf management has become in the state.
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Two Mexican gray wolves are released in southern Arizona’s Sky Islands. Why that matters
From AZ Central:
Two endangered Mexican gray wolves were released in the Peloncillo Mountains of southern Arizona as wildlife managers try to expand the range of the predators.
The two wolves, officially known as F1828 and M2774, would become the first pack to roam Arizona’s Sky Islands in decades and the southernmost wolf pack in the U.S.
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Wisconsin lawmaker wants to remove gray wolf from endangered species list
From Spectrum News 1:
WASHINGTON — The gray wolf has caught the eye of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The House voted 209 to 205 this week to remove the animal from the endangered species list. All but four Republicans supported the bill, and all but four Democrats opposed it. One of the co-sponsors, Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, said the Endangered Species Act worked in enabling the species to survive, and now thrive.
“It’s time to let the states manage wolf population,” he said.
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New wild litter of Red Wolf pups confirmed in Alligator River Refuge
From The Outer Banks Voice:
On April 18, the Red Wolf Recovery Program confirmed the birth of a wild litter of Red Wolf pups in the Milltail area of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. While this is the third year in a row for a litter in that area, it was far from a given that it would occur this year after the tragic loss of 2323 (the previous breeding male in the Milltail family group) in September 2023.
In a bold attempt to create a new breeding pair, an acclimation pen was quickly constructed in October 2023 within the home range of the resident wild adult female Red Wolf (2225) who birthed the previous two litters. A male Red Wolf (2191), born at Wolf Haven International in Tenino, Washington as part of the Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, was then placed in it. His release from the pen in late January 2024 was purposefully timed with the breeding season and he and 2225 soon appeared to become a pair.
Click here for the full story.
Conservation groups sue to restore protections for gray wolf
From Buckrail:
WYOMING — In response to the recent live wolf possession in Daniel, Wyo., a coalition of organizations filed a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for their refusal to restore Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections to the Western gray wolf.
On Monday, April 8, conservation organizations filed two lawsuits in opposition to the agency’s decision not to restore federal protections for Northern Rockies wolves.
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Endangered red wolf killed by vehicle on US 64 in East Lake
From Coastal Review:
Officials say a 2-year-old wild male red wolf was killed April 15 by a vehicle strike on U.S. Highway 64 in the East Lake area of Dare County. This is the fourth death of an endangered eastern red wolf in the past 10 months, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.
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New Mexico promotes $105k reward for illegal killing of Mexican Gray Wolves
From KTSM News:
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Western Watersheds Project and the Wolf Conservation Center is asking the community for help in the illegal killings of Mexican Gray Wolves.
The billboard was installed along Interstate 25 in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, with an addition of up to a $105k reward to people who had information about the killings of the wolves.
According to the news release by the Western Watersheds Project, conservationists hope the reward will bring to justice those who violated the Endangered Species Act.
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U.S. House Votes to Remove Wolves From Endangered List in 48 States
From Time Magazine:
The U.S. House voted Tuesday to end federal protection for gray wolves, approving a bill that would remove them from the endangered species list across the lower 48 states.
A handful of Democrats joined with Republicans in passing the bill. The measure now goes to the Senate, but it appears doomed after the White House issued a statement Monday warning that the Biden administration opposes it. Congress shouldn’t play a role in determining whether a species has recovered, the statement said.
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