Proposed measures to help control wolf damage to livestock and pets in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The agencies are seeking public comment on the draft assessment through April 3, 2006.
The draft EA examines a range of options for addressing the problem of wolf damage in Wisconsin, including a preferred alternative that would allow for management of wolves associated with attacks on 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 Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act; they are classified as a State Protected Wild Animal under Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin; control actions would be carried out by the State of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
The draft EA can be reviewed by contacting USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, 732 Lois Drive, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 53590, Fax (608) 837-6754 and at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf Written comments will be accepted through April 3, 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 within one to three weeks after the close of the comment period.
Gray wolves in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws or the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at http://dnr.wi.gov
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.
