Proposed measures to help control wolf damage to livestock and pets in Michigan are outlined in a draft Environmental Assessment developed by Wildlife Services, a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The agencies are seeking public comment on the draft assessment through February 21, 2006.
The draft EA examines a range of options for addressing the problem of wolf damage in Michigan, including a preferred alternative that would allow control of wolves found to be responsible for killing or attacking livestock and pets. Under this alternative, an integrated management program would provide for permits allowing removal of depredating wolves.
If adopted, the preferred alternative would use an integrated approach including both lethal and non-lethal measures to address wolf damage problems on private and public lands in Michigan. A full range of legal and effective methods would be used to adequately address the damage problem while minimizing harm to other wildlife, humans, the general wolf population, and the environment.
Gray wolves in Michigan are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act; they are classified as threatened under Michigan state law. Permits for the management of federally listed endangered species are provided for under the ESA. To implement the wolf damage control program, permits would be issued to the State of Michigan; control actions would be carried out by the State of Michigan and Wildlife Services, acting as an agent for the state.
Other alternatives examined in the draft EA include a program using only non-lethal control methods; technical assistance from federal agencies; and no federal involvement in wolf damage management in Michigan.
The draft EA can be reviewed by contacting USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, 2803 Jolly Road, Suite 100, Okemos, MI 48864; 517-336-1928, FAX 517-336-1934 and at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf. Written comments will be accepted through February 21, 2006, and should be submitted to the address or fax number above; or by electronic mail to .PermitsR3ES@fws.gov">. It is anticipated that a final EA with a selected action for wolf management will be available in early March.
Gray wolves in Michigan are protected by the ESA, which prohibits “take” “take”
The term “take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.
Learn more about “take” (killing, harming, harassing) of listed animals except under specific circumstances. Permits authorizing removal of problem wolves are provided for under the Act when these actions are needed for scientific purposes or to enhance survival of a listed species’ population. Allowing removal of problem wolves helps ensure that illegal killing of gray wolves is minimized, and public tolerance of wolves in general is maintained.
For more information on gray wolves in Michigan and other upper Midwest states, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website at http://www.fws.gov/midwest, the Wildlife Services program at www.aphis.usda.gov/ws or the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
