Western Great Lakes wolves off Endangered Species list
Tuesday, January 30, 2007, 5:48 AM
by Bob Meyer
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the western Great Lakes population of gray wolves from the federal list of threatened and endangered species and proposing to remove the northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves from the list. Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Lynn Scarlett made the announcement saying the two separate actions are being taken in recognition of the success of gray wolf recovery efforts under the Endangered Species Act. Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment (DPS) includes Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Wolves in other parts of the 48 states, including the Southwest wolf population, remain endangered and are not affected by actions taken Monday.
When the wolf was first listed as endangered in the 1970s, only a few hundred wolves remained in Minnesota. The region's late winter gray wolf population now numbers approximately 4,000 and occupies portions of Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Wolf numbers in the three states have exceeded the numerical recovery criteria established in the species' recovery plan.
The rule becomes effective 30 days after publication; until that date, gray wolves remain under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Adrian Wydeven says once the wolf is delisted, Wisconsin landowners can kill wolves that attack their pets or farm animals. They can also get permits to kill specific numbers of wolves – but only if their property has had trouble with the animals in the past. A hunting season is also possible.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007, 5:48 AM
by Bob Meyer
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the western Great Lakes population of gray wolves from the federal list of threatened and endangered species and proposing to remove the northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves from the list. Deputy Secretary of the Interior, Lynn Scarlett made the announcement saying the two separate actions are being taken in recognition of the success of gray wolf recovery efforts under the Endangered Species Act. Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment (DPS) includes Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.
Wolves in other parts of the 48 states, including the Southwest wolf population, remain endangered and are not affected by actions taken Monday.
When the wolf was first listed as endangered in the 1970s, only a few hundred wolves remained in Minnesota. The region's late winter gray wolf population now numbers approximately 4,000 and occupies portions of Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. Wolf numbers in the three states have exceeded the numerical recovery criteria established in the species' recovery plan.
The rule becomes effective 30 days after publication; until that date, gray wolves remain under the protection of the Endangered Species Act. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary, Adrian Wydeven says once the wolf is delisted, Wisconsin landowners can kill wolves that attack their pets or farm animals. They can also get permits to kill specific numbers of wolves – but only if their property has had trouble with the animals in the past. A hunting season is also possible.