Wolf numbers increase in France, rules on hunting them to be relaxed

From Connexion:

The wolf population has grown radically in the past five years in France, both in their number and in the territory that they cover. As a result the government has changed their categorisation from a ‘strictly protected’  to a ‘protected’ species, causing alarm among conservation groups.

 

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EU parliament divided on plans to review wolves’ conservation status

From EuroNews:

The European Commission’s plans to review the conservation status of the wolf in Europe has divided the European Parliament.

In a debate convened by the European People’s Party (EPP) on Wednesday, right-leaning members of the European Parliament (MEPs) said the review was necessary to protect the livelihood of farmers in highland regions, whose livestock are being decimated by wolf packs.

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DNR To Host Two Open Houses On Revised Wolf Management Plan

From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that they will host two open houses for the public to learn about the revised draft of the 2023 Wolf Management Plan.

These open houses will take place at Northwood Technical College in Ashland, Wisconsin on Oct. 2 and at UW-Stevens Point – Marshfield in Marshfield, Wisconsin on Oct. 3. Both events will take place from 5-7 p.m. Attendees may come and go throughout these events.

The open houses will give attendees an opportunity to have their questions answered about the plan by Wisconsin DNR staff.

The revised draft of the 2023 Wolf Management Plan was released by the DNR on Aug. 1, 2023. It will be presented to the Natural Resources Board this fall during their meeting on Oct. 25.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Wolf Management Plan Open House
When: 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2
Where: Northwood Technical College
2100 Beaser Ave
Ashland, WI 54806
Conference Center – Rooms 305, 306 and 307

 

What: Wolf Management Plan Open House
When: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3
Where: UW-Stevens Point – Marshfield Campus
2000 W. 5th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Jean Vanguard Community Room – Room 514

Wisconsin DNR defends lack of population goal in wolf management plan

From AP:

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin wildlife officials defended their decision not to set a hard cap on the state’s wolf population in their new management plan in front of a Republican-controlled legislative committee Thursday, saying a firm limit doesn’t reflect the complexities of wolf management.

Randy Johnson, the Department of Natural Resources’ large carnivore specialist, told the state Senate’s sporting heritage committee that a lack of a hard limit gives the agency more flexibility to manage the species, allows local packs to fluctuate and gives the population a better chance at maintaining wolf abundance for years to come.

“The plan recommends adjusting management actions in response to observed real-world conditions,” Johnson said.

 

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After a long abscence, Fish and Wildlife Service to bring wolves back to Colorado

From KJZZ:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will reintroduce wolves to Colorado.

Conservationists support the release, but they say the government needs to do more to promote genetic diversity in Arizona’s population.

Although wolves from neighboring states occasionally venture into Colorado, it has not had a self-sustaining population for decades.

 

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Federal decision would allow Colorado’s gray wolf reintroduction plan by year-end deadline

From The Center Square, Colorado:

(The Center Square) – The federal government is moving a step closer to allowing Colorado’s voter-approved plan to reintroduce gray wolves by the end-of-the-year statutory deadline.

In 2020, 51% of Colorado voters approved Proposition 114, requiring the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to create and complete a plan to reintroduce and manage grey wolves west of the continental divide by the end of 2023.

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Wildlife officials discover new wolf pack in California

From CBS News Sacramento:

PORTERVILLE – There is a new gray wolf pack in California, wildlife officials say.

The new Tulare pack was sighted in August and includes an adult female and four offspring (two males and two females), the Department of Fish and Wildlife said in a statement Thursday.

 

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Here’s where Colorado will likely get its future wolves

From CPR News:

“After months of careful planning, Colorado wildlife officials insist they’re on track to reintroduce gray wolves by the end of the year, meeting a deadline laid out in a ballot initiative voters narrowly approved in 2020. ”

 

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Wisconsin wolf hunters face tighter regulations under new permanent rules

From AP News:

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wolf hunters in Wisconsin would have to register their kills faster, face a limited window for training their dogs and couldn’t disturb dens under new regulations being finalized by state wildlife officials.

The state Department of Natural Resources plans to hold a public hearing on the new regulations Tuesday afternoon via Zoom. The agency plans to bring the regulations to the agency’s board for approval in October.

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Standards updated to confirm livestock killings by wolves in Arizona, New Mexico

From KTAR News:

PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services released a new set of standards to confirm livestock killings by Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico.

The document states confirmation that a Mexican wolf was responsible for depredation requires subcutaneous hemorrhage and underlying tissue damage be present on carcasses, which would show the animal was still alive when an attack occurred. Wolves also scavenge on carrion, which has led to false blame.

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