AZGFD celebrates 25th anniversary of reintroduction of Mexican wolves to U.S.

From News4 Tucson:

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — The Arizona Game and Fish Department is celebrating this the 25th anniversary of the reintroduction of Mexican wolves to the U.S.

In the week of Nov. 12 to 18, they will highlight videos, articles, podcasts, events, and other resources to educate the public on the Mexican wolf recovery effort.

By 1970, the Mexican wolf had disappeared. In 1976, the gray wolf subspecies was listed as endangered.

 

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‘Little Red Riding Hood syndrome:’ Wolf controversy in the UP

From Spartan News Room:

LANSING — The state’s Natural Resources Commission wants to know more before deciding whether to allow the hunting of wolves – if Michigan’s largest predator is taken off the federal endangered species list.

Although protected nationally, the state’s wolf population has stayed stable for the past 12 years. The number ranges between 600 and 700 each year in the Upper Peninsula. Nationally there are about 16,000 wolves.

 

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Ted and Wolf recovery

From AG Info:

A fun conversation with retired Fish and Wildlife biologist, Ted Kuch as he reflected back on his colleague Ed Bangs who made a huge splash many years ago as the wolf recovery Coordinator for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Wolves are an interesting thing. “One of my earliest assignments as an endangered species biologist,… young, wet behind the ears was to be the Idaho Wolf Recovery Project leader. When we reintroduced wolves, it was interesting. My friend Carter Niemeyer, some folks may know his name, he’s written a fairly popular book on his experiences called Wolf. When I first came into the wolf world, he said, Ted, welcome to the wolf ego- system.

 

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalizes designation of gray wolf experimental population in Colorado

From the Pagosa Springs Sun:

In support of a statewide voter-led initiative passed in November 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized the designation of an experimental population of gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Colorado under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

This action provides management flexibility in support of the state of Colorado’s voter-mandated gray wolf reintroduction program.

 

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As pet attacks rise, wolf hunt push lives on in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

From Bridge Michigan:

LANSING — The state’s Natural Resources Commission wants to know more before deciding whether to allow the hunting of wolves – if Michigan’s largest predator is taken off the federal endangered species list.

Although protected nationally, the state’s wolf population has stayed stable for the past 12 years. The number ranges between 600 and 700 each year in the Upper Peninsula. Nationally there are about 16,000 wolves.

 

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WDFW October 2023 Gray Wolf Conservation Report

From Big Country News:

This report provides an overview of gray wolf conservation and management activities in Washington during October 2023.

 

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With Colorado set to reintroduce gray wolves, bill backed by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert seeks their removal from endangered species list

From Steamboat Pilot & Today:

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives last week passed a bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert proposing to delist gray wolves from the the nation’s endangered species list.

The bill, called The Trust the Science Act, was included in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for the 2024 fiscal year, which House members passed Nov. 3 — less then two months before Colorado reaches a year-end deadline to reintroduce a gray wolf population in the state.

 

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How Wolves Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change

From Nonprofit Quarterly:

Colorado plans to reintroduce wolves by the end of 2023. The proposal was tentatively given the green light by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which issued a draft statement of approval.

In their draft decision, the US Fish and Wildlife Service wrote that Colorado can establish what’s called a “nonessential experimental population”—a designation for groups on which the entire species’ survival doesn’t depend. This will allow for control of the gray wolf population within Colorado and provide conservation of the species. The Colorado plan falls under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, in the section devoted exclusively to species recovery.

 

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Rule allowing wolf kills in Colorado will also green light reintroduction, supporters say

From Vail Daily:

A U.S. Fish and Wildlife document finalized Tuesday will allow for the harassing and killing of wolves that are predating livestock in Colorado, something currently illegal under the Endangered Species Act.

But the provision, known as the 10(j) rule, could become moot in the coming years as appeals to an overturned effort to delist wolves as an endangered species are litigated in U.S. District Court in California.

 

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Federal wolf rule for Colorado to take effect Dec. 8

From The Daily Sentinel:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife has finalized a rule designating a nonessential, experimental population of gray wolves in Colorado, meaning it will be in place in time to provide the state more flexibility in managing the species as it begins reintroducing them, which it plans to do before year’s end.

The Fish and Wildlife Service said in a news release that the management flexibility that will be provided under the rule “can help to address potential conflicts between wolves and humans, and wolves and domestic animals while contributing to the conservation of the species.”

The wolf is federally listed as endangered in Colorado. The rule will loosen the federal protections provided to the species in the state, including by allowing killing of wolves in situations such as protection of livestock from wolf attacks.

 

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