Wisconsin DNR to Alter Wolf Control Methods
State wildlife officials say they will pursue other methods to deal with problems wolves, and that they have already taken steps to have the federal permits re-issued after last week’s decision by a federal judge cancel previous permits to shoot the animals. The Department of Natural Resources says the September 13 order by Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, means farmers and other rural citizens cannot defend their livestock or pets from the predators.
The authority to shoot problems wolves came from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which had granted the states of Wisconsin and Michigan to conduct some limited lethal control of wolves known to prey on farm and domestic animals under a sub-permit issued the Departments of Natural Resources in both states on April 1.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Wildlife Service will continue to investigate possible wolf depredations, provide recommendations for reducing wolf problems, and if necessary, trap and relocate problem wolves. The Wisconsin DNR will continue to reimburse for domestic animals killed by wolves.
In addition, the Wisconsin and Michigan DNRs have applied for new Recovery Permits, to allow the states authority for lethal control activity again later in 2005 and for 2006. The new request includes a 30-day public comment period and was published in the Federal Register. Additionally the USFWS will prepare an environmental assessment on the new permits, which will be published on the Federal Resister later this fall, and will also include a 30 day comment period.
A total of 425 to 455 wolves were counted in Wisconsin at the end of last winter. Although wolves are currently listed as Endangered by the federal government, Wisconsin lists wolves as Protected Wild Animals.