California announces plans to relax protections for wolves as population grows

From MercuryNews.com:

In the latest sign that wolves are continuing to make a comeback across California after being hunted out of existence for nearly a century, state wildlife officials have announced that population numbers have increased enough that they plan to relax rules that have set strict protections on the high-profile species.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife said Thursday that the changes, when finalized by the end of this year, will allow ranchers and other rural property owners to obtain permits to use more aggressive methods to chase gray wolves away from livestock — including firing rubber bullets or bean bags to scare them away, and using ATVs, motorcycles or other equipment to chase them from herds of cattle or sheep.

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Working To Conserve Wolf Species While Protecting [California] Ranchers

From MyMotherLode.com:

Sonora, CA — As California’s gray wolf population grows, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is advancing the state’s management of this species to phase 2 and further supporting communities where they are known to reside.

In February, as reported here, CDWF staff captured twelve gray wolves between January 14 and the end of that month in Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra counties, collared and released them back into the wild. At the end of 2024, there were seven known wolf packs in the state and four additional areas of known wolf activity. Most of those packs are in northeastern California, although one is in the southern Sierra Nevada. Five of the seven packs met CDFW’s definition of a “breeding pair” in 2024, meaning two adults and two or more pups surviving until the end of the year.

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Outlook for Mexican gray wolf still positive, despite recent death

From SourceNM.com:

Conservation efforts targeted at the Mexican gray wolf have shown positive results, according to recent studies, but last weekend’s death of a female wolf has been called “tragic” by experts and advocates.

The death of wandering wolf “Ella” was reported over the weekend by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after she was spotted last week near Mount Taylor, close to Grants above Interstate 40. She had wandered outside of the Marquez Wildlife Area —  a protected area that covers about 15,000 acres in McKinley and Sandoval counties and where wolves are encouraged to remain. Interstate 40 is the northern boundary. The area is part of the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area that encompasses parts of New Mexico and Arizona and where wolves are released into the wild to repopulate.

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State of California enters next phase of wolf conservation plan as Gray Wolf population expands

From ActionNewsNow.com:

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife on Wednesday announced the advancement of the state of California’s management of the gray wolf and further supporting communities where they are known to reside.

The CDFW says that at the end of 2024, there were seven known packs of gray wolves that reside in the state of California, with four additional areas of known wolf activity. Most of the packs are located in the northeastern part of California, with one pack residing in the southern Sierra Nevada.

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Farmers closer to shooting more wolves under proposed EU law

From Politico.eu:

The European Commission has unveiled its long-awaited draft law downgrading the protection status of wolves, which would make it easier for farmers in the European Union to shoot animals that menace their livestock.

The bill, which answers a long-standing demand of conservative lawmakers, proposes to amend the EU Habitats Directive, moving the wolf from the list of “strictly protected” to “protected” species.

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Unlimited wolf hunting bill dies quietly on final [Montana] Legislative vote

From KULR8.com:

After a relatively subdued floor debate — at least as far as wolf-related bills go — the Montana Senate on Friday voted to pass three wolf-hunting bills that originated in the House.

One bill would extend the current wolf hunting season to align with the spring black bear season, one would allow the use of thermal and infrared scopes, and the third would have required an unlimited hunting season for wolves when the statewide population is more than 550 wolves.

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[U.S. Rep] Lauren Boebert reintroduces bill seeking to remove wolves from endangered species list

From ColoradoSun.com:

The Republican representative cited “frivolous litigation” in her bid to restore a 2020 rule delisting the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act. Colorado wolves are fully protected under state law.

Colorado wildlife officials are saying successful wolf reintroduction may be tracking. But that could change if people trying to hobble the program with a state ballot measure and a bill in Congress by U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert are successful.

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Catron County [New Mexico] could declare state of emergency over Mexican grey wolf population

From KRQ.com:

CATRON COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – Pets snatched from front yards and livestock killed. That’s what Catron County said is happening because of what they believe is too many Mexican wolves in their area. Now, county commissioners plan on declaring a state of emergency to protect animals and the public. “Catron County is saturated with wolves,” said Catron County Commissioner Audrey McQueen.

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Local [Wisconsin] lawmakers attend public forum, address wolf de-listing sandhill crane problems

From APG-WI.com:

Frmers and outdoor recreational enthusiasts came together March 30 to hear from area lawmakers about state and national initiatives regarding the hunting and farming community.

Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Birchwood) and Assembly Representative Chanz Green (R-74) spoke during the meeting, organized by the nonprofit organization Hunter Nation, about the federal wolf delisting effort and sandhill crane hunting.

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