Wolf News Roundup
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
January 6, 2017
Wolf News Roundup
A Swedish court has allowed the hunting of 24 wolves to begin in early 2017, despite appeals from environmental groups. The wolf population in that country is about 340. Wolf hunts were also authorized in 2010 and 2011 with 46 wolves killed each year, as well as the killing of 44 wolves in 2015.
Red Wolves
A red wolf has been illegally shot and killed inside a national wildlife refuge in North Carolina, and federal wildlife officials are offering a $2,500 reward for information about the incident, while pledges from environmental groups have upped the reward to $16,500. Red wolves are small in size compared to gray wolves, and closely resemble coyotes.
The red wolf recovery program had early success, but has recently been subject to much controversy after federal officials repeatedly released red wolves on private property without written permission from landowners. Recent research indicates that the red wolves in the program are heavily inbred with coyotes.
Michigan Wolves
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation making wolves in the state a game animal, making an end-run around ballot initiatives that would keep the animals from being hunted. Although the state law classifies wolves as a game animal, the state's more than 600 wolves remain protected pursuant to the Endangered Species Act.
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