Wolf managment may change in Montana
The management of wolves in Montana, and other western states may be changing in 2011.
The Center for Biological Diversity released information that a meeting between ten conservation groups came to a legal settlement on March 18, including the Department of the Interior, regarding wolf recovery and management in the Northern Rockies.
“If approved by the courts, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would deal with the settlement locally,” said Ron Aasheim, the chief of communications for FWP. “The settlement offers a path to return the management of wolves to the state. It’s all about balance and the states have to be able to manage the wolves for research.”
The press release went on to point out that wolves are a “keystone species that allow many other plants and animals — from beaver and trout, to willows and migratory birds — to thrive in a way that will fascinate and benefit generations to come. Wolves have a place on the landscape, and continued conflict doesn’t benefit anyone.”
The history of wolves in the Rockies has been a heated and debated topic both in the government and in communities. Farmers, ranchers and hunters have found them trouble some for many years. Environmentalists want to keep the species protected, as their population is often dwindling, hence being possibly put on the Endangered Species Act.
“We want to be able to manage wolves like any other species. Predators and prey need to be managed together,” said Aasheim.
Currently Fish, Wildlife and Parks can only respond to wolf issues involving human safety or livestock deprivation, for example.
According to the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ website there were 87 cattle losses 87 in 2010. Other confirmed livestock losses include llamas, dogs, goats, a horse, and a few miniature horses. A total of 141 wolves were killed to prevent further depredations. Of those, private citizens killed 13 wolves caught actively chasing or attacking livestock either under federal regulation or the state defense of property law.
According to Aasheim, there is a minimum of 566 wolves, which is an eight percent increase from last year. There is also a minimum of 108 packs and 35 breeding pairs, which counts the alpha male and female in each pack as pairs. In 2002, wolves were declared recovered in the Northern Rockies region.
The settlement was filed for approval with a U.S. Federal District Court in Montana. If approved by the court, the agreement would remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves in Idaho and Montana and return management authority to those states, while retaining full protection in Washington, Oregon, Wyoming and Utah.
According to Aasheim, there are a minimun of 1,651 wolves making up 244 packs in the three state area of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
A statement form the conservation groups said: “We hope today’s agreement will mark the beginning of a new era of wolf conservation in the Northern Rockies, as well as confirm the success of the Endangered Species Act and this country’s boldest wildlife reintroduction effort in history. The proposed settlement maintains protections in Oregon and Washington where wolves have not yet fully recovered, while allowing for responsible state management in Idaho and Montana.
“In return for allowing the states of Montana and Idaho to manage wolves according to approved conservation plans, the Department of the Interior agrees to conduct rigorous scientific monitoring of wolf populations across the region and an independent scientific review by an expert advisory board after three years. This is a critical safety net to ensure a sustainable wolf population in the region over the long run. The settlement offers a workable solution to the increasingly polarized debate over wolves.
A date has not been scheduled yet for court hearings.