Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
Archived Information - Control of Depredating Wolves in
Michigan:
Biological Opinion: Issuance of permit under Section 10(a)(l)(A) to Michigan
DNR for Gray Wolf Depredation Control Activities
PDF
of entire Biological Opinion (33 pages)
Pursuant
to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C.
153 1 et seq.) (ESA), this biological opinion addresses the U.S. Fish
& Wildlife Service's (Service) issuance of an Endangered Species Act
section lO(a)(l)(A) permit to Michigan Department of Natural Resources
(MDNR) that would allow intentional take of gray wolves for conservation
purposes. Specifically, the MDNR plans to lethally take gray wolves that
have depredated livestock or other domestic animals. Since issuing a section
10(a)(1)(A) permit represents a Federal action, the Service must, pursuant
to section 7 of the Act, ensure that issuance of the permit will not jeopardize
the gray wolf. This biological opinion documents the Service's compliance
with the section 7(a)(2) mandate and provides a take exemption for any incidental take which may occur.
For reasons
discussed below, it is our biological opinion that issuance of a section
10(a)(1)(A) permit for MDNR's Wolf Depredation Program is not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of gray wolves, nor any other listed
species. Our biological opinion analyzed the impact of removing up to
1 1 % (1 0% intentional take, 1% incidental take) of Michigan's gray wolf
population annually. Incidental take is based on the annual MDNR population
estimate, so the actual number of wolves expected to be incidentally taken
can be adjusted upon determination of each annual population estimate,
if this permit is renewed in subsequent years.
Critical
habitat has been designated for gray wolves on Isle Royale in Michigan.
There is
no other designated critical habitat for wolves in Michigan. As planned
wolf depredation
abatement activities will not occur on Isle Royale, critical habitat will
not be affected.
PDF
of entire Biological Opinion (33 pages)
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