Wolf Management

[Ron Scott]

Montana

July 19- Grey wolves federal protection will continue as a Federal Judge in Montana reversed a federal government decision to allow hunting of the wolves in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Donald J. Molloy placed a temporary injunction on the hunting of wolves returning protections afforded to wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

Judge Molloy's decision showed serious reservations about the Fish and Wildlife Service's decision to remove endangered species protections for the wolves. Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, and other environmental groups sued the Interior Department and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The three states affected, the National Rifle Association, other livestock and hunting associations defended the federal government's action.

The judge did not agree with decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service to approve Wyoming's proposal to maintain eight breeding pairs instead of the 15 the federal government once mandated. Environmental groups applauded the temporary injunction, but the Interior Department could not be immediately reached for comment.

The fate of wolves has been the subject of bitter litigation since they were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995. Back to Top

The full text of this article is available on the web: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/19/us/19wolves.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=environment&pagewanted=print

Oregon

July 22- Russ Morgan, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Service wolf coordinator, confirmed the existence of Oregon's first pack of wolves in over 100 years this weekend. Wolves wiped out by bounty hunting in the past have returned to Oregon. The pack, including at least two adults and two puppies, was discovered Friday (July 18th) on the Umatilla National Forest in northern Union County.

The wolves return to Oregon was predicted after reintroduction of wolves in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park in 1995. The Bush administration had declared wolf reintroduction a success and taken wolves off the federal endangered species list, but a federal judge in Montana last week restored protection. Back to Top

The full text of this article is available on the web: http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-25/1216690151108370.xml&storylist=orlocal

SAF Policy Update

[Ron Scott]

The Wolves of Isle Royale

http://www.petridish.org/projects/the-wolves-of-isle-royale