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
|