Federal court decision relists gray wolves in western Great Lakes region as endangered species
Federal court decision relists gray wolves in western Great Lakes
region as endangered species MADISON - In response to a lawsuit brought
against the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Federal District
Court for the District of Columbia has vacated a 2012 decision, which
delisted wolves as an endangered species.
This decision returns wolves in the Great Lakes Region, including Wisconsin,
to the Federal Endangered Species List.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Justice legal
staff are reviewing the decision to determine how it will impact Wisconsin's
wolf management program. Further information will be available following
this review.
Immediate implications of this ruling include the following:
* Permits which allow lethal removal of wolves issued to landowners
experiencing wolf conflicts are no longer valid. The department will
contact permit holders to alert them.
* The department is not authorized to use lethal control as part of
its conflict management program. Non-lethal tools and depredation
compensation remain available. Those experiencing conflicts with wolves
should contact the United States Department of Agriculture - Wildlife
Service for conflict investigation and management assistance. USDA Wildlife
Services can be reached at 800-228-1368 in northern Wisconsin or
800-433-0663 in southern Wisconsin.
* Wisconsin's law allowing landowners or occupants of the land to
shoot wolves that are in the act of depredating domestic animals on private
property is no longer in force. Landowners may not kill wolves in the act
of attacking domestic animals.
* Under Federal Law, you cannot use dogs to track and train on wolves.
* Wisconsin is not authorized to implement a wolf harvest season.
While the department is disappointed by this decision, we will continue to
support USFWS and their original decision to delist and remain confident in
the State of Wisconsin's ability to manage our wolf population.