From US Fish and Wildlife Service:
WASHINGTON — Recognizing that the national discussion around gray wolf management must look more comprehensively at conservation tools available to federal, state and Tribal governments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a path to support a long term and durable approach to the conservation of gray wolves, to include a process to develop – for the first time – a National Recovery Plan under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for gray wolves in the lower 48 states. Today’s announcement does not make any changes to the legal status of gray wolves in the United States.
After an extensive peer-reviewed assessment using the best available science, the Service today announced a not warranted finding for two petitions to list gray wolves under the ESA in the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Western United States. This finding is not action-forcing; the legal status of gray wolves does not change as a result of this finding.
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Why wolves are thriving in this radioactive zone
From NPR:
In 1986 the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, releasing radioactive material into northern Ukraine and Belarus. It was the most serious nuclear accident in history. Over one hundred thousand people were evacuated from the surrounding area because of the health risks radioactive waste poses to humans. Most people have not returned.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completes status review and finding for gray wolves in the Western United States; launches National Recovery Plan
From US Fish and Wildlife Service:
WASHINGTON — Recognizing that the national discussion around gray wolf management must look more comprehensively at conservation tools available to federal, state and Tribal governments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced a path to support a long term and durable approach to the conservation of gray wolves, to include a process to develop – for the first time – a National Recovery Plan under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for gray wolves in the lower 48 states. Today’s announcement does not make any changes to the legal status of gray wolves in the United States.
After an extensive peer-reviewed assessment using the best available science, the Service today announced a not warranted finding for two petitions to list gray wolves under the ESA in the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Western United States. This finding is not action-forcing; the legal status of gray wolves does not change as a result of this finding.
Click here for the full story.
Feds settle on ESA status quo for some gray wolves
From Greenwire:
The Fish and Wildlife Service said Friday that it found no need to change the Endangered Species Act protections for certain populations of the gray wolf but instead pledged to develop a first-of-its-kind comprehensive plan to recover the species.
In a highly anticipated and politically fraught decision, the federal agency announced the northern Rocky Mountain population that spans several states will stay off the ESA list of protected species. A larger decision on wolves in other states could now occur by a Feb. 16 court date.
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U.S. won’t restore protections for wolves in Rockies, proposes national recovery plan
From Western Slope Now:
Federal wildlife officials on Friday rejected requests from conservation groups to restore protections for gray wolves across the northern U.S Rocky Mountains, saying the predators are in no danger of extinction as some states seek to reduce their numbers through hunting.
The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service also said it would work on a first-ever national recovery plan for wolves, after previously pursuing a piecemeal recovery in different regions of the country. The agency expects to complete work on the plan by December 2025.
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After millions in taxpayer money spent on anti-wolf lobbying, Utah lawmaker wants more oversight
From Colorado News Online:
Utah lawmakers are once again considering funding efforts to scale back the protections granted to wolves under the Federal Endangered Species Act, with the group Hunter Nation requesting an additional $500,000 during an appropriations committee Thursday.
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Warm weather forces park officials to suspend Isle Royale wolf count for first time in decades
From Phys.org:
A stretch of unusually warm weather has forced federal officials to suspend researchers’ annual wolf-moose count in Isle Royale National Park for the first time in more than six decades.
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New group of wolves inhabits Bechler Meadows after previous pack dissolved
From Buckrail:
JACKSON, Wyo. — In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), the adaptability of wolves faces increasing pressures from human influences. Yellowstone National Park’s (YNP) Bechler Meadows provides a lens into understanding the relationships between pack survival, resilience and challenges in today’s modern landscape.
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Wisconsin wolf management plan could soon face its first test
From Isthmus News:
After months of research, public input and hearings, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved a new wolf management plan in October. It would seem a done deal, but nothing is simple when it comes to wolves in Wisconsin. The plan is being challenged in court and could soon face its first implementation test.
On Feb. 2 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to release a proposed rule on whether gray wolves should be removed from the list of endangered species in Wisconsin and the rest of states in the “lower-48” (excluding the Rocky Mountain population). If delisted, the state of Wisconsin is required under a 2011 law to hold a public wolf hunt.
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CPW SENDS UPDATE ON WOLF SIGHTINGS SINCE 2004, AND MORE ON THE MAP
From Steamboat Radio:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife sent a wolf update to Steamboat Radio/KRAI News on Tuesday. We asked about sightings being reported. Joey Livingston with CPW responded and said they field about 100 reports each year, but many turn out to be coyotes and dogs. They need strong supporting evidence. He said specific sightings could create unwarranted interest or fear from the public.
“CPW typically fields around 100 sighting reports each year. However, wolf reports are typically not considered reliable without strong supporting evidence. CPW often receives wolf sighting reports that turn out to be coyotes or dogs and having a viewable list of sightings could invoke unwarranted interest or fear from the public. When numerous reports with credible information/photos/other evidence are received in an area where wolves are not known to already occupy, CPW biologists and district wildlife managers may use this information to prioritize further search efforts.”
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Large wolf pack spotted at icy kill site: Isle Royale Winter Study updates
From Michigan Live:
ISLE ROYALE, MI – A wolf pack lounging on the ice near the carcass of a big moose they’d killed a couple days earlier. A mother moose snacking on spruce, her summer-born calf by her side. A beautiful fox seen taking a few leftover tidbits from the wolves’ meal.
All these moments and more were captured recently by the research team conducting the annual Winter Study on Michigan’s Isle Royale. Each winter, teams of researchers fan out using skis, snowshoes and take to the air in a survey plane to observe and gather detailed information on the island’s growing wolf packs and its moose.
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