Salazar OKs Weak Wyoming Wolf Plan

John Motsinger | Posted on 07 July 2011 |

Sec. Salazar agrees to weak Wyoming wolf plan
DOI OKs shoot-on-sight wolf management policy across most of state

BOISE, Idaho (July 7, 2011) – U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar tentatively agreed today to a wolf management plan for Wyoming that will allow wolves to be shot on sight across most of the state. In a joint press conference with Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe, Sec. Salazar said the Interior Department “agrees in principle” to allowing wolves to be killed without a permit for most of the year across most of state.
The following is statement from Suzanne Stone, Northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife:
“This action, if approved, would undo the successful recovery of wolves in the region, which was supported by millions of Americans. The principles that Gov. Mead and Sec. Salazar have agreed to seem no different than what had previously been proposed by Wyoming and rejected by both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the courts.
“The Governor has publicly stated that he plans an end-run around the Endangered Species Act to get Congress to ratify this plan and prevent any legal challenge. What a sad day it is for America’s wildlife and a stunning betrayal coming from our nation’s chief wildlife steward.”
Background:
According to the latest annual wolf report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming has an estimated population of 343 wolves, including 97 wolves inside Yellowstone National Park. So far this year, there have been 11 confirmed wolf deaths, including five that were killed in response to livestock losses. As of June 16, only six cattle (out of 1.3 million statewide) and one sheep (out of 365,000 statewide) were confirmed as losses to wolves.

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Let's look at these reports:

Wyoming Gray Wolf Recovery Status Report

From: USFWS Wyoming Wolf Recovery Project Leader, Jackson, WY
Subject: Status of Gray Wolf Management in Wyoming and the NRM

WYOMING WOLF WEEKLY- June 6, 2011 through June 17, 2011

Web Address – USFWS reports (past weekly and annual reports) can be viewed at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . All weekly and annual reports are government property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.

2010 Annual Report

The 2010 Interagency Annual Wolf (Canis lupus) Report for the NRM DPS will be available March 10, 2011 on-line at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks section of the annual wolf report will also available on-line on its websites at http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/management/wolf/default.html. The annual wolf report is composed of five Sections: 1) Montana; 2) Wyoming; 3) Idaho; 4) USFWS overview of dispersal, funding, litigation, and relevant publications; and 5) Tables and Figures of wolf population statistics and wolf depredations.

Information about Oregon wolves can be viewed at:
www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves

Information about Washington wolves can be viewed at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/

MONITORING
Table 1. Total wolf mortality in Wyoming (outside YNP) from 2003-2011.

Cause of Mortality	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Depredation Control	18	29	41	44	63	46	31	33	5
Natural	3	0	3	1	2	3	2	1	1
Under Investigation	5	1	5	8	5	8	0	4	1
Unknown	1	0	0	1	2	8	7	2	3
Other	0	7	2	5	3	14	0	5	1
Total	27	37	51	59	75	79	40	45	11

CONTROL
Wyoming:
On 6/16/11, WY Wildlife Services confirmed a steer calf killed by wolves on private property west of Cody. Control actions were completed when a yearling male wolf was removed near the depredation site on 7/17/11.
Table 1. Confirmed livestock depredations and control actions in WY from 2003 - 2011.

	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Cattle	34	75	54	123	55	41	20	22	6
Sheep	7	18	27	38	16	26	195	33	1
Dogs	0	2	1	1	2	0	7	0	1
Goats	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Horses	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	0*
Wolves Controlled	18	29	41	44	63	46	31	33	5

* A horse broke its leg and had to be euthanized after being chased by wolves in a pasture on private property.

RESEARCH
Nothing to report at this time.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
Nothing to report at this time.
OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
On 6/4/11, Jimenez (USFWS) spoke at the annual Summit on the Snake Symposium put on by the Snake River Fund in Jackson, WY. On 6/6/11, Jimenez spoke to USFS Northern Region personnel at an annual carnivore class held in Yellowstone National Park.
FURTHER INFORMATION
To request an investigation of livestock injured or killed by wolves, please contact the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife Services at (307)261-5336.
For additional information, please contact:
Mike Jimenez (Jackson) (307)330-5631 or (307)733-7096 or Mike_Jimenez@FWS.GOV
Scott Becker (Cody) (307)527-8916 or (307)699-3411 or Scott_Becker@FWS.GOV

Last updated: June 20, 2011

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