Gray Wolf Removed from Endangered Species List
Friday, October 30th, 2020 -- 10:08 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -After years of failed legislative attempts and many court challenges, the U.S. Department of the Interior said Thursday it has removed the gray wolf from the endangered species list in all of the lower 48 states.The announcement was made at a regional event hosted at the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge near the Twin Cities. The gray wolf had been delisted in Wisconsin and eight other Great Lakes states in 2014, but was quickly reversed by a federal judge at the urging of animal rights activists. Thursday's action will likely result in the return of wolf hunting seasons for states like Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan. Meanwhile, farm and wildlife groups praised the decision, saying the 1,000-plus wolf population has led to many attacks on livestock, hunting dogs and other pets in recent years. Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association President Matt Ludlow added that Wisconsin has far exceeded its goal for a sustainable and recovered wolf population, and that the move will enable farmers to work with wildlife management at the state level to control the effects of a larger wolf population.
The DNR places this winter's minimum wolf count at 1,034 wolves, which is much higher than the 25 animals estimated to live in the state 40 years ago. As of mid-October, Wisconsin DNR records indicate there were wolf depredation attacks on 145 animals in Wisconsin during 2020, ranging from sheep, horses, alpacas, calves and chickens.
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