Interesting juxtaposition of Michigan DNR news releases. Two releases, three days, one about legal killing of wolves, one about illegal killing. The headlines say it all:
DNR Obtains Federal Permit to Address Wolf Depredations
U.P. Resident Found Guilty of Killing Gray Wolf
While it is one thing for a government agency to "cull" the wolf population to address "depradations" and quite another for an individual to shoot a wolf out of pique, the releases suggest wolf matters in the Lake Superior region are reaching a breaking point. And it may well be difficult to understand why the government can kill wolves but citizens cannot. How about a wolf education initiative like the one that led to their successful reintroduction in the 80s?
DNR Obtains Federal Permit to Address Wolf Depredations
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources can take up to 20 wolves under a permit granted April 19 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The permit allows the DNR, under certain conditions, to use lethal methods to address wolf-related livestock loss for the remainder of 2005.
"An ability to deal with animals that are causing problems, such as livestock depredation, is important for the effective management and conservation of gray wolves in Michigan," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "This permit will allow us to manage wolves in an ecologically and socially responsible manner."
In January, a federal district court in Oregon withdrew a 2003 federal decision that had reclassified gray wolves from endangered to threatened status throughout much of the United States. Due to the change, management actions pertaining to the species became more restricted. The DNR lost the legal authority to use lethal control to deal with wolf-related livestock depredation.
Although the wolf populations in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota have exceeded recovery goals for several years, the status of wolves elsewhere in the country drove the court's decision. As a result of this ruling, the federal status of wolves in Michigan reverted to endangered.
The federal permit allows the DNR to take wolves under the following conditions:
* Depredation must have occurred on lawfully present domestic animals, including livestock as legally defined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Lethal control may not be used when wolves kill dogs that are free-roaming on, hunting on, or training
on public lands;
* Depredation at the site is likely to continue in the immediate future if the depredating wolf or wolves are not removed;
* Depredation control activities must occur within one mile of the depredation site;
* Traps and snares must be checked at least every 24 hours;
* Wolves born in 2005 and captured before Aug. 1 must be released near the capture site;
* Lactating females trapped before July 1 must be released near the capture site, unless they have been involved in three or more depredation events, in which case they may be euthanized;
* Depredation control on tribal lands must be coordinated with tribal natural resources personnel, and lethal control will only be carried out if requested by the tribe;
* Prior to Aug. 1, no more than four accidental, serious trap-related injuries or mortalities to wolves born in 2005 may occur. In the event this number is reached, all trapping shall cease until Aug 1; and
* Prior to July 1, capture of lactating females may not exceed four individuals. In the event this number is reached, all trapping shall cease until July 1.
U.P. Resident Found Guilty of Killing Gray Wolf
A resident of the Manistique area pleaded guilty on April 11 on charges
connected with the death of a gray wolf in Iron County during the 2004 firearm
deer hunting season. James Lakosky, 55, appeared in 95th District Court before
Judge Joseph Schwedler, where he pleaded guilty to the charge of killing the
radio-collared wolf.
On Monday, Judge Schwedler sentenced Lakosky to seven days in jail or 14 days of community service. In addition Lakosky was fined $910, paid $1500 restitution and was placed on probation for three months. The judge told Lakosky at sentencing that the penalty imposed was designed to send the message that it is not acceptable to illegally kill a wolf in Iron County.
Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources were
called to the scene of the animal's killing in Iron County after the radio
transmitter on the wolf went into mortality mode, a signal that emanates when
the wolf has not moved for 24 hours.