Wolf News Roundup 7/3/2017
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
July 2, 2017
Northwestern U.S.
Wolves from a Washington wolf pack have succeeded in killing cattle on a BLM grazing allotment despite the use of five range riders provided in a deal with state wildlife officials in attempt to decrease potential conflict. And in northern Oregon, a rancher shot a wolf as it harassed his cattle, the first time such action has occurred under Phase 3 provisions of the state’s wolf plan, which allows a rancher to legally kill a wolf attacking livestock. This wasn’t the first time wolves had harassed his cattle, as a state-funded range rider had ran five wolves from the pasture the week prior, according to press accounts.
Mexican wolves
A pair of wolves has been hanging out in the town of Alpine, Arizona, apparently in pursuit of elk that are calving within the town, prompting federal wildlife officials to engage in a program to haze the wolves away from humans.
In other Mexican wolf news, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has issued its draft revised recovery plan. Environmentalists are unhappy that Utah and Colorado were excluded from the species’ range, but state wildlife officials in Arizona and New Mexico will be pleased that the plan gives states the authority to decide where and when Mexican wolves can be released.
Public comments on the draft plan will be accepted until August 29.
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