Welcome to Wolf Watch!          WOLF NEWS  |  Cat's new Wolf Book
Wyoming news reporter Cat Urbigkit lives in the heart of wolf country, near Big Piney, Wyoming, a few hundred miles south of Yellowstone National Park. As a news reporter, rancher, researcher and Wyoming resident, she has followed the wolf issue for many years and written many articles on the topic, as well as an upcoming book on the history of wolves in Wyoming.
   The goal of this website is to present up-to-date, accurate information about what is happening with wolves, focusing on wolves in the Rocky Mountains, but referring to wolf happenings outside our region when there is some local relevance. Rather than an agenda-driven advocacy site, this is the place to be for the facts about wolves, with a strong focus on what’s happening on the ground.
   We invite those living in areas inhabited by wolves to contact Cat with news tips, photographs, or other information. We also invite those who want to support this endeavor to sign on as sponsors, and for our readers to support those sponsors.

2010 WOLF NEWS
2009 Story Archive
2008 Story Archive
2007/2006 Story Archive

3/9/10: Wyoming wolf monitoring update
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a report for wolf activity for the early part of March 2010. The report has information on wolf activity near Cody; wolf activity related to elk capture/collaring efforts for the University of Wyoming Absaroka Elk project; capture operations in Yellowstone National Park; and status of the Druid Peak Pack......(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

3/9/10: Montana issues new wolf kill rules
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks officials have issued new rules for dealing with problem wolves, allowing USDA Wildlife Services specialists to proceed with removing problem wolves without prior FWP authorization......(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

3/9/10: Wolf reintroduction for Grand Canyon?
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Some are advocating that wolves recovery should focus on establishing a wolf population on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

3/9/10: Alaska eliminates Denali wolf harvest buffer zone
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Alaska wildlife officials have rejected the wolf harvest buffer zone for Denali National park and Preserve.....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

3/9/10: Idaho wants expanded wolf hunt
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The director of the Idaho Fish and Game Department is advocating an expanded wolf hunting season in order to stop the decline of the Lolo area elk population....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

3/9/10: Tips for dealing with wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Canadian wildlife officials have offered a series of tips for dealing with wolves that do not demonstrate a fear of humans.....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/28/10: Using wolves to control elk
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A recent paper in BioScience proposes the use of small populations of wolves "for ecosystem restoration and stewardship." The paper proposes that small populations of wolves could be placed throughout the national park system in order to control over-abundant ungulate populations.....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/28/10: Wolves wear out welcome
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Wolves have apparently worn out their welcome in Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to a press report in the Twin Cities' Pioneer Press....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/28/10: Brits consider reintroducing big predators
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The British countryside may soon harbor bears, lynx, wolves and elk, according to press accounts of a proposal under consideration....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/28/10: Elk foundation calls out motives of wolf groups
(Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation press release) In letters to legislators and newspapers across the West, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is calling out groups like Defenders of Wildlife, Western Wildlife Conservancy and others for their disingenuous use of data on wolves and elk. The RMEF action was prompted by each group’s recent op-ed articles in the media, as well as testimony before Utah lawmakers by Western Wildlife Conservancy Executive Director Kirk Robinson. All cited RMEF statistics to argue that restored wolf populations have somehow translated to growing elk herds in the northern Rockies. RMEF says the theory that wolves haven’t had a significant adverse impact on some elk populations is not accurate....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/23/10: Infectious disease in Yellowstone wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A team of researchers conducted a serologic inventory of infectious disease in Yellowstone National Park's canid community and the results are interesting. They found high, constant exposure to canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus, and canine herpesvirus suggesting that these pathogens were enzootic within YNP wolves and coyotes. An average of 50% of wolves exhibited exposure to the protozoan parasite, Neospora caninum, although individuals' odds of exposure tended to increase with age and was temporally variable. Of the pathogens we examined, none appear to jeopardize the long-term population of canids in YNP. However, CDV appears capable of causing short-term population declines....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/23/10: Mexico plans wolf reintroduction
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Mexican government is planning to release five endangered Mexican wolves into the Sonoran country, within quick walking distance to Arizona, which is raising concern from Arizona citizens who know that if one of the wolves enter the state, it is granted full endangered status. That means the animals can't be harmed or killed, even if caught in the act of killing livestock....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/23/10: Wolf advocates denied injunction
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel collared three wolves in one of the state's two known wolf packs last week. The three collared wolves are part of the 10-member Imnaha pack....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/23/10: Oregon collars three wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel collared three wolves in one of the state's two known wolf packs last week. The three collared wolves are part of the 10-member Imnaha pack....(Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/17/10: Yellowstone wolf population in transition
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Wolf numbers in Yellowstone National Park declined for the second consecutive year. The decline was expected and considered natural. The Yellowstone Wolf Project reports the 2009 population at 96-98 wolves, down 23 percent from the 124 wolves recorded in 2008. This is the fourth decline since wolf reintroduction began in 1995. A population high of 174 wolves was recorded in 2003. In 2004 and 2007, 171 wolves were counted..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/9/10: Idaho Wildlife Services publishes wolf report
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The USDA-APHIS Idaho Wildlife Services office has published its annual wolf activity report for 2009. The report is full of interesting information about wolves in Idaho, including information that could pertain to Wyoming wolf management.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/9/10: Livestock losses to wolves put in perspective
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The USDA-APHIS Idaho Wildlife Services' annual wolf activity report looks at the topic of livestock losses by four species predators (coyotes, wolves, mountain lions and bears) most often implicated in predation on livestock in Idaho. By determining the average number of livestock killed per each individual predator on the landscape, and comparing these figures among the four species, it turns out that individual wolves in Idaho are about 170 times more likely to kill cattle than are individual coyotes or black bears. Individual wolves were determined to be about 21 times more likely to kill cattle than were individual mountain lions.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/9/10: Sterilization of wolves considered
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The USDA-APHIS Idaho Wildlife Services office, which performs wolf control in Idaho, has the following to say in its annual wolf activity report: "One approach that has been recommended by a number of recognized wolf experts as a potential means of reducing wolf-livestock conflicts is to consider sterilization of wolves in certain circumstances…” Wildlife Services recommends that in some chronic problem areas, surgical sterilization of one or both alpha wolves be considered as an alternative to removal of all the pack members. Determinations as to which packs might qualify for this treatment would depend a number of logistical factors...”.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/9/10: Wolf advocate warned for claiming carcass
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) An Idaho wolf advocate has been issued a written warning for her attempt to claim a wolf carcass killed by federal officials (for livestock depredations) as her own. She tagged the wolf with an Idaho wolf tag. If the ploy had worked, the animal would count against the wolf hunt quota. But state officials said that was inappropriate and cited her for her action, noted that under Idaho code, any wolves killed in control actions become property of the state..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/9/10: Wolf pack moves into Colorado?
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) It appears a pack of wolves has moved into Colorado. Wildlife officials are investigating wolf sign found on a western Colorado ranch. The presence of wolves in Colorado is also the front-page feature in High Country News.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/9/10: Wolves pushed as park stewards
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Some researchers are advocating using wolf pack introductions as a way to control ungulate populations in national parks. But how to control the wolves once they are released? The article suggests, "Neuter the wolves, fence them in, fit them with shock collars and - just in case - add a tracking device so they can be hunted and killed if they get too far afield.".... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/8/10: Pack of 22 wolves in Gros Ventre
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports several packs in the Jackson area have been traveling beyond their normal winter home ranges. They give reports on the Buffalo, Pinnacle Peak, Phantom Springs and Pacific Creek packs..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/8/10: Romeo wolf a no-show
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The famously visible wolf dubbed Romeo that has roamed near Juneau, Alaska in recent years is a no-show this winter, according to the Anchorage Daily News. There is much speculation and concern for his possible demise. A recent news account showing photos of Romeo was actually an accounting of the wolf's prior visits to civilization, not recent activity...... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/6/10: Minnesota's wolf woes
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) News reports from Minnesota note that there is a decline in deer numbers at the same time there is an increase in both wolf sightings and livestock depredations..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/6/10: Utah tames wolf bill
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A Utah legislative panel has tamed a bill aimed to require the removal of any wild wolves found in that state. The bill has now been amended to request federal wildlife officials remove any wolves found in the state..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/6/10: Sweden to import wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) After holding a wolf hunt just a few months ago, wildlife officials in Sweden are now moving forward with plans to import wolves into the central part of the country. The wolf population in Sweden is inbred, and the program to import wolves will help to improve the population's genetics..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/6/10: Wolf arguments heard in Cheyenne
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A federal judge in Cheyenne heard oral arguments in the State of Wyoming's lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its failure to delist wolves..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2/6/10: Wolf hunters' names published online
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) An opponent of Idaho's wolf hunting season has reportedly published the names of those who harvested wolves. A listing of 122 names is now on his website. He was quoted as saying it wasn't his intention that these hunters be harassed..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/30/10: Official Wyoming wolf count
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that for 2009, Wyoming had at least 319 wolves in at least 44 packs (including 27 breeding pairs). Wyoming (outside Yellowstone National Park) had at least 223 wolves in at least 30 packs (>21 breeding pairs). Yellowstone National Park estimates >96 wolves in 14 packs (6 breeding pairs).... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/22/10: Wolf hearing set for Jan. 29
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. District Court for Wyoming is set to hear oral arguments in the State of Wyoming challenge to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to delist wolves in Wyoming. The federal court in Cheyenne will hear arguments on Friday, January 29, at 9 a.m. Members of the Wyoming Wolf Coalition, which sided with the state in the case, will hold a support rally on the Capital steps before the hearing..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/22/10: Utah tries to prohibit wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A Utah legislator is proposing the state enact legislation that would prohibit wolves in Utah. The bill would require state wildlife officials to capture or kill any wolf it discovers in the state, with the exception of wolves legally held in captivity.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/14/10: Idaho sportsmen concerned about wolf parasite
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Idaho For Wildlife's latest newsletter has a feature article "Two-thirds of Idaho wolf carcasses have hydatid disease tapeworms" and urges caution for those who may handle wolf carcasses.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/12/10: Romeo wolf back in Juneau
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) "Romeo" the Alaska wolf that repeatedly hangs around Juneau in the winter, playing with dogs and being very visible, is back at it again.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/12/10: Kyrgyzs use horses to protect against wolves
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Herdsmen in Kyrgyzstan use their horses to guard against wolves, and ride the horses in attacks against wolves... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/12/10: Montana couple fears for their cattle
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The Western News, out of Libby, Montana, has an article about a Montana couple whose small herd of Dexter cattle were attacked by wolves, with their milk cow killed.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/12/10: Montana wolf update
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials publish a weekly update on wolves, which is available on Mondays and covers the week prior.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/12/10: Idaho wolf update
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) There are still several hunt areas open for the harvest of wolves in Idaho, with the season set to close at the end of March, or when quotas are met. Also, the Idaho Fish and Game Department has posted a wolf management progress report for December 2009.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/6/10: Wolf advocates file Idaho lawsuit
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Wolf advocacy organizations (the Wolf Recovery Foundation and Western Watersheds Project) have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Agriculture (both Forest Service and Wildlife Services) in federal court in Idaho.... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/6/10: Sweden closes wolf hunt after four days
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) With a total hunt quota of 27 wolves, hunters in Sweden took swift action to reach that goal, taking 20 wolves in the first day of the hunt, and reaching the quota in only four days. The Swedish parliament voted to limit the wolf population to about 210 animals, and this hunt was the nation's first in 45 years..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/5/10: Final 2009 Wyoming wolf update
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued its last weekly wolf report for 2009, providing an end-of-year summary of livestock depredation problems...... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/4/10: Montana wolf situation assessed
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) Helena Independent Record reporter Eve Byron wrote an interesting article attempting to summarize the state of wolf recovery in Montana..... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

1/4/10: Eastern coyotes part wolf
(By Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!) A recent coyote hunt in Pennsylvania resulted in the harvest of some darn big coyotes - four of them were over 50 pounds. The eastern portion of the nation apparently produces big coyotes because these critters have some wolf genetics .... (Click on the link above for the complete story.)

2009 Story Archive

2008 Story Archive

2007/2006 Story Archive