Wyoming wolf update
by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
July 22, 2009
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- July 6 through July 10, 2009
Web Address – USFWS reports (past weekly and annual reports) can be viewed at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov. Weekly reports for Montana and Idaho are produced by those States and can be viewed on the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Idaho Department of Fish and Game websites. All weekly and annual reports are government property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.
Annual Reports
The Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2008 Annual Report is available at:
http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov .
Delisting Litigation Status
On June 2, a lawsuit was filed in Federal District Court in Missoula (9th Circuit) by a coalition of 13 environmental and animals rights groups. Another separate lawsuit challenging the USFWS delisting criteria was filed shortly after in the 9th Circuit by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. While the two groups have their own attorneys, both those cases have now been consolidated in the Missoula District Court under Judge Molloy. Their complaint alleges the NRM wolf population is not recovered and that the delisting violates the federal Endangered Species Act for many legal reasons, including delisting can not occur without an adequate Wyoming regulatory framework in place, which is not currently the case. A request for a preliminary injunction has not been filed at this time. In addition, the State of Wyoming, Park County, and the Wyoming Wolf Coalition filed a lawsuit in the 10th Circuit (Cheyenne, Wyoming) challenging USFWS’s rejection of Wyoming’s regulatory framework and the Wyoming state wolf management plan.
Monitoring
Earlier this spring, the Canyon Pack denned in the Mammoth area of YNP. After repeated sightings near park buildings and on park roads, the pack was hazed using rubber bullets, and subsequently relocated to the Canyon\Hayden Valley area. Whether or not this movement was due to the hazing is unknown, but they have not been seen along the roadside this summer like they were last. It is possible that hazing achieved the desired results. The pack also has one pup. Therefore the protection of this pack and the decision to not remove them has produced positive results.
Control
Big Horn Mountains - On 6/4/09, >2 wolves began killing sheep on private land in the southern portion of the Big Horn Mountains, between Kaycee and Ten Sleep, WY. As of 7/3/09, Wildlife Services (WS) confirmed > 61 sheep (22 ewes/39 lambs), belonging to 4 different producers, have been killed by wolves. The USFWS requested WS to remove all wolves from the immediate vicinity. Several WS trappers are working in the area where the depredations occurred. WS fixed-wing and helicopter flights have been flown attempting to locate the wolves, but have been unsuccessful. On 6/29/09, the USFWS flew a telemetry flight over the area where the depredations have occurred, but no missing radio collared wolves were located. The USFWS issued 3 Shoot-on-Site permits to livestock producers in the area and will continue to issue permits to other affected producers, thereby allowing them to remove depredating wolves on private property. Control is ongoing.
On 6/28/09, Idaho Wildlife Services (WS) confirmed that a calf was killed by wolves from the Chagrin River Pack near Victor, Idaho. WS attempted to remove one wolf at the depredation site, but no wolves were captured. Control efforts were suspended but will resume if additional depredations occur.
Research
Nothing to report at this time.
Law Enforcement and Related Activities
Nothing to report at this time.
Outreach and Education
Nothing to report at this time.
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.
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