Appendix G1
WOLF-DOG HYBRID CASES IN WISCONSIN.
by Adrian P. Wydeven, Randy L. Jurewicz
and Ronald N. Schultz
Fourteen cases of free-roaming wolf-dog hybrid incidents involving
Wisconsin DNR or USDA-APHIS occurred between July 1989 and February
1998. These cases involved 33 different animals, including 14 wolf-dog
hybrids that were shot, 1 accidentally killed (vehicle collisions), 9
live-captured and placed in captivity, and 9 disappeared or remained in
the wild.
Livestock were verified killed/attacked by one group of hybrids in 1989,
and possible depredation by a wolf-dog hybrid occurred in 1997. A
wolf-dog hybrid was known to be free-roaming on a farm that had 9 calves
killed and 21 missing. Although some calves were verified as probably
killed by wolves, the presence of the wolf-dog hybrid complicated
investigation/verification of losses.
Wolf-dog hybrids challenged dogs or humans in 5 cases, including 1 case
of a hybrid biting a child. In at least two cases, female wolf-dog
hybrids apparently bred with dogs, and one produced a pup in captivity.
Although most wolf-dog hybrids did not cause serious problems, the lack
of fear of people and their pets posed real concerns. Agency dealings
with wolf-dog hybrids consumed time and expense that could have been
spent on wolf conservation. Calls and reports of wolf-like animals
initiated investigations by WDNR or APHIS and sometime involved lengthy
attempts at live-capturing. Because of concerns for protecting wild
wolves, control actions have been applied very carefully. Once wolf
populations are more secure, more liberal controls can be applied toward
wolf-like animals that lack fear of people and occur in residential and
farmland areas4.
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