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.
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.
Click here for the full story.
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.
Click here for the full story.
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.
Click here for the full story.
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.
Click here for the full story.
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.
Click here for the full story.
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.
Click here for the full story.
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.
Click here for the full story.
Resolution calling for ‘scientific management’ of gray wolves introduced to Michigan Legislature
From Huron Daily Tribune:
Michigan lawmakers urge the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to allow the state to manage gray wolves because, without management, the population could reach numbers detrimental to other species, such as whitetail deer.
Click here for the full story.
Wolf, moose numbers stabilize on Isle Royale
From Duluth News Tribune:
ISLE ROYALE — Researchers counted 30 wolves and an estimated 840 moose on Lake Superior’s largest island last winter, with both predator and prey down a bit from last year but signifying that both populations have stabilized after years of big fluctuations.
That’s the report released Tuesday from the 65th Isle Royale wolf/moose survey, the longest-running predator-prey study in the world.
Click here for the full story.