Wyoming Gray Wolf Recovery Status Report
Subject: Status of Gray Wolf Management in Wyoming and the NRM – August 2012
Web Address – USFWS reports (past status and annual reports) can be viewed at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . All status and annual reports are government property and can be used for any purpose. Please distribute as you see fit.
2011 Annual Report
The 2011 Interagency Annual Wolf (Canis lupus) Report for the NRM DPS is available on-line at http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov . The annual wolf report is composed of seven sections: 1) Montana; 2) Wyoming; 3) Idaho; 4) Washington; 5) Oregon; 6) USFWS overview of funding, litigation, contact information, and relevant publications; and 7) tables and figures of wolf population statistics and wolf depredations in the NRM DPS.
Information about wolves in other NRM states
Idaho at: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/public/wildlife/wolves/.
Montana at: http://fwp.mt.gov/fishAndWildlife/management/wolf/
Oregon at: www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves
Washington at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray wolf/
NEWS RELEASE – August 31, 2012
Contact: Vanessa Kauffman, 703-358-2138
vanessa_kauffman@fws.gov
Marla Trollan, 303-236-4510
marla_trollan@fws.gov
Service Declares Wyoming Gray Wolf Recovered Under the Endangered Species Act
and Returns Management Authority to the State
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the Wyoming population of gray wolves is recovered and no longer warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Beginning September 30th, wolves in Wyoming will be managed by the state under an approved management plan, as they are in the states of Idaho and Montana. Please view our website at: http://www.fws.gov.mountain-prairie/
MONITORING
Yellowstone National Park – Park biologists have confirmed 5 packs that have produced pups in 2012.
Wyoming (outside YNP)
The following population estimates are preliminary and likely to change before the end of the calendar year. Official population estimates for 2012 will be reported on December 31, 2012.
As of August 31, 2012, at least 20 packs have produced pups this year, including: 1) Absaroka, 2) Black Rock, 3) Green River*, 4) Carter Mtn, 5) Elk Fork, 6) East Fork, 7) Greybull River,
8) Gooseberry, 9) Hoodoo, 10) Horse Creek, 11) Huckleberry, 12) Ishawooa, 13) Lava Mtn, 14) Lower Gros Ventre, 15) Pahaska, 16) Phantom Springs, 17) Pinnacle Peak, 18) Spring Mtn*, 19) Upper Gros Ventre, and 20) Washakie.
Field crews are investigating the breeding status of other known packs including: Beartooth, Chagrin, Owl Creek, Dog Creek*, Greys River*, Prospect*, Pacific Creek, Rim, and South Fork.
* Indicates ongoing livestock depredation control actions.
Figure 1. Wolf population in WY: 2000 - 2011.
Table 1. Total wolf mortality in WY from 2003 through August 31, 2012.
| Cause of Mortality | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Total |
| Control | 18 | 29 | 41 | 44 | 63 | 46 | 31 | 40 | 36 | 24 | 372 |
| Natural | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 21 |
| Under Investigation | 5 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 44 |
| Unknown | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 28 |
| Other | 0 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 43 |
| Total | 27 | 36 | 51 | 59 | 75 | 79 | 40 | 58 | 51 | 32 | 508 |
Table 2: Confirmed livestock depredations in WY from 2003 through August 31, 2012
| Year | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Total |
| Cattle | 34 | 75 | 54 | 123 | 55 | 41 | 20 | 26 | 35 | 22^ | 485 |
| Sheep | 7 | 18 | 27 | 38 | 16 | 26 | 195 | 33 | 30 | 99^^ | 489 |
| Other | 2 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1* | 0 | 16 |
| Dogs | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 3** | 17 |
| Total | 43 | 105 | 83 | 162 | 74 | 67 | 222 | 60 | 67 | 124 | 1,007 |
* A horse broke its leg and had to be euthanized after being chased by wolves in a pasture on private property. Six additional horses, 3 calves, and 1 dog were injured in 2011.
** One dog was also injured by wolves but survived.
^ At least 9 additional calves were injured by wolves.
^^At least 4 additional sheep were injured by wolves.
Cattle depredations in 2012 began in March, while sheep depredations began in May.
FURTHER INFORMATION
To request an investigation of livestock injured or killed by wolves in Wyoming, please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services at (307)261-5336.
For additional information, please contact:
Mike Jimenez at (307)330-5631 or (307)733-7096 or mike_jimenez@fws.gov
