The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation today cheered federal delisting of wolves in the Great Lakes states, as well as the State of Wisconsin’s rapid movement toward implementing its own science-based wolf management plan.
Both actions help pave the way toward predator populations that are in better balance with elk, deer and other species commonly preyed upon by wolves.
“Barring any legal holdups from animal rights activists, we should see science-based wolf management and control measures go into effect by February, and that’s great news for conservation overall in the Great Lakes region,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.
On Dec. 21, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that gray wolf populations
in the Great Lakes region have recovered and no longer require the protection of the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is publishing a final rule in the Federal Register removing wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in portions of adjoining states, from the list of threatened and endangered species.
Upon the announcement, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker ordered the Department of Natural Resources to begin implementing the state’s wolf management plan. The agency will issue permits to landowners experiencing wolf-caused losses beginning Feb. 1.
There are more than 4,000 wolves in the three core recovery states in the western Great Lakes area, a total that far exceeds recovery goals. Minnesota’s population is estimated at
2,921 wolves, while an estimated 687 wolves live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and another 782 in Wisconsin.
Each state has developed a science-based plan to manage wolves after federal protection is removed.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: RMEF is leading
a conservation initiative that has protected or enhanced habitat on over 6
million acres—an area larger than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite,
Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains national parks combined. RMEF also is a
strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy
issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are
making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL
ELK.
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