Howling For Wolves responds to federal courts ending the wolf hunt in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan

PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2014

CONTACT:
Dr. Maureen Hackett, Howling For Wolves, 612.250.5915 or
Leslie Rosedahl, LWRosedahl@locklaw.com, 651.353.1818

Howling For Wolves responds to federal courts ending the wolf hunt in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan

(St. Paul, Minn) – This afternoon a federal judge’s decision was announced which immediately placed the gray wolf back on the endangered species list. The decision overturned a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service decision that removed Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves living in the Great Lakes region, which includes Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  In its 111-page ruling, the court faults the USFWS for failing to explain why it ignored the potential for further recovery of wolves into areas of its historic range that remain viable habitat for the species and says the hunt was “virtually unregulated.”

Minnesota-based wolf advocacy group Howling For Wolves issues the following statement:
“This is exciting news for the survival of the gray wolf population, which is a vital part of our ecology. We’re glad the reckless and unnecessary wolf hunt in Minnesota is over this year, and hope smart and non-lethal wolf management strategies will be implemented in the future,” said Howling For Wolves Founder and President Dr. Maureen Hackett.

Minnesota’s third consecutive wolf hunting and trapping season has ended this year.  The wollf kill was dramatically over the DNR’s quotas, with the DNR’s website showing 148 wolves shot and trapped, 22 higher than the 126 quota target specifically in the” late season.” A total of 272 wolves were needlessly killed this year from both the early and late recreational wolf hunt. The season was supposed to run until January 31 or until hunters reach their quota.

In addition, a recent study just published by researchers at Washington State University shows wolf management tactics in order to reduce wolf depredation on livestock are not effective, and killing wolves makes these agriculture predations even worse. The study compiles 25 years of statistics from several states and indicates that when more wolves are killed there is an increase in livestock depredations the following year. Researchers recommended that non-lethal methods be considered when possible.

###

Howling For Wolves (HFW) is a wolf advocacy organization that aims to educate the public and policy-makers about wolves to foster understanding and tolerance, and to ensure their long-term survival in Minnesota. HFW seeks innovative non-lethal solutions for conflict prevention and coexistence where wolves are perceived to be a threat. HFW opposes the random killing of non-problem wolves for sport and the cruel methods utilized. Efforts focus on Minnesota’s gray wolves, which is the largest and only original wolf population remaining in the lower 48 states. www.HowlingForWolves.org.