Wolf pack near Tomah being exterminated
By Steve Rundio / Lee Newspapers
TOMAH – A wolf pack that staked its territory northeast of Tomah is being exterminated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Only one or two wolves remain from the Bear Bluff pack that claimed a territory in Jackson, Monroe and Juneau counties.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources biologist Adrian Wydeven confirmed Monday that the USFWS killed six wolves and is pursuing “one or two more.”
Wydeven said the wolves had become too habituated to humans and were exhibiting “bold behavior.”
“They were showing a lack of fear toward people, were approaching people and approaching buildings with people,” Wydeven said.
Wydeven said no humans have been attacked by wolves, but wolves killed three dogs and injured four others in five separate incidents between Jan. 8 and Sept. 18.
Wisconsin’s wolf population was estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 prior to settlement. Bounties were paid for wolves from 1865-1957, and in 1960 the species was considered extinct. However, wolves began to recolonize Wisconsin in the mid 1970s, and their population is now estimated at more than 700. The Bear Bluff pack represents the southernmost extent of the wolf’s range.
Wydeven said several non-lethal methods were attempted with the Bear Bluff pack, but nothing worked. He said once wolves lose their fear of humans and human development, it’s very difficult to change that behavior.
“They’re social learners,” he said. “If one pack member learns a certain behavior, the rest of the pack will also learn that behavior.”