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Idaho and Montana Wolf Hunts End BOZEMAN, Mont.— As Idaho's wolf hunt season came to an end today, wildlife advocates mourned the loss of more than 500 members of the Northern Rockies' population of the endangered predator due to human killing. The Idaho hunt, along with a similar season in Montana, followed on the heels of the Department of the Interior's April 2009 delisting of gray wolf populations in those states under the federal Endangered Species Act. Since the delisting, at least 257 wolves have been shot by hunters in Idaho and Montana – including an alpha female and a five-month-old pup in Yellowstone National Park's renowned Cottonwood Pack, which had been intensively studied by biologists. Roughly 250 more wolves were killed in Idaho and Montana since delisting, primarily by state and federal agents in the name of livestock protection. “The Montana hunt was wildly successful in killing wolves,” said Doug Honnold of Earthjustice. “Even in Idaho, with lots of inaccessible backcountry, almost the entire wolf quota set by the state was killed by hunters. We know we can kill wolves. Unless ESA protection is reinstated to wolves, both Idaho and Montana will increase wolf hunting in 2010, setting back recovery even more.” “Idaho and Montana are busy heralding the success of their first wolf hunts as justification for removing protections from the species,” said Suzanne Asha Stone, Northern Rockies representative for Defenders of Wildlife. “Yet the biggest threat facing wolves is not these hunts but the federal wolf delisting plan, which allows Idaho and Montana to kill off most of their wolves. That plan is the most serious threat to wolves in the region and nothing has been done to fix it yet.” “Beyond the animals needlessly shot, hunting wolves disrupts family bonds, can leave pups to starve, and contributes to the dangerous genetic isolation of wolves in Yellowstone,” said Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We are eager to see northern Rockies wolves restored to the endangered species list, and the results of these hunts bolster our legal claims.” “These hunts were premature and should never have occurred in the first place. And though it’s nice to see them finally end, the damage is already done,” said Matt Skoglund, NRDC Wildlife Advocate. “The hunts unnecessarily killed over 250 wolves and have further delayed full recovery of the northern Rockies wolf population.” Earthjustice is representing 13 conservation groups in a challenge to the delisting in U.S. District Court in the District of Montana. The suit seeks to restore Endangered Species Act protections to the wolf until wolf numbers are stronger, migration corridors are protected, and the states develop adequate laws and regulations to protect wolf populations from extinction. The groups asked the court to issue an injunction halting the 2009 hunts in Idaho and Montana. While the court declined to stop the hunts, it ruled that the groups are likely to win their legal challenge to the delisting. Groups represented by Earthjustice in the wolf delisting suit are Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, The Humane Society of the United States, Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, Friends of the Clearwater, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands, Western Watersheds Project, Wildlands Network, and Hells Canyon Preservation Council. Background Under the challenged U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf delisting rule, Idaho and Montana were given the green light to reduce each state's wolf population to 100-150 individual wolves. Hunters killed breeding “alpha” male and female wolves, not only disrupting wolf social groups but leaving pups vulnerable to predation and starvation. Wolves are still under federal protection in Wyoming because a federal court previously ruled that Wyoming’s inadequate wolf management scheme would leave wolves in “serious jeopardy” if ESA protections were removed. Until recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service repeatedly concluded that a state-by-state approach to delisting wolves was not permitted under the Endangered Species Act. The Interior Department reversed that earlier position when it delisted wolves in Idaho and Montana but not Wyoming. The states of Idaho and Montana have refused to make enforceable commitments to maintain viable wolf populations within their borders. |
THE WOLF MOUNTAIN NEWS
This past year seemed to just fly by and the winter snows came early to Wolf Mountain. The much anticipated arrival of wolf puppies came with Natani giving birth to three healthy, plump pups. The pups were removed from their natural den at ten days of age. The next four and one half months were spent caring for the young wolves around the clock. Their socialization has gone exceptionally well. Many thanks go out to the puppy sitters for their efforts. The very well grown pups named Tala, Tashina and Dancing Turtle were reintroduced to their parents in early October. The entire event went off without a hitch and was video tapped for our archives. Now eight months of age, the juvenile wolves have been growing at a rate that will have them no doubt exceed their parents in size and stature. Our wolves received a varied diet of legally obtained road kill deer, rabbit, squirrels, fish donated by Morrisville State College, raw chicken, buffalo hearts, livers and as a supplement a high quality kibble mixed with Nebraska Brand feline zoo food is feed occasionally. Fresh water is put out twice a day and then there is the occasional baguette donated by the bakery which the wolves enjoy. 
This past year did indeed go by quickly but we were able to start construction of our temporary education building. Although unfinished, it was usable for our Pumpkin Festival and Christmas with the Wolves. In addition, this past year we completed a scenic overlook picnic area with seven tables under the shade of large trees. Adjacent to the picnic area we were able to open 2.5 miles of interpretive hiking trails and completed two composting restrooms (no more porta potties!!). The fully roofed fox enclosure was completed this year. And even though it was not utilized as such, the young wolves enjoyed the space and redecorated the area for a couple of months. We are still seeking arctic or grey foxes to occupy this facility. We also set the posts for a separation enclosure. This enclosure will allow us to better separate out animals if necessary and also be utilized as a “fun” new place to ramble. We were very fortunate to obtain approximately 2000 feet of 10ft used chain link fence in very good condition. This will allow us to begin construction this spring of our new 8.5 acre wolf area.
Volunteer Katie leading a hike Families having a fun picnic
2008 Events and Groups
Attendance was up considerably over this past year with an increase in the number of school groups and scouts groups. Many more people came to the center simply by word of mouth and interest also peaked as a result of the presence of wolf puppies. Even more interest was generated with our solar and wind power educational tours.
Our three events were successful and many people enjoyed seeing the whole pack together this past October but the foliage was not as brilliant as past years. The wolves loved destroying and then eating their pumpkin filled treats and hay bales. Matt Pryor gave a heartwarming solo performance for the crowd out in the meadow with the big hills as a back drop. The entire event was 100% powered by solar energy, compliments of Great Brook Enterprises, Mother Nature and Grand Father Sun. Our first “Christmas with the Wolves Open House” was a huge success and exceeded our expectations despite the single digit, blustery cold day. The children got to warm up with hot chocolate and meet Santa as their parents shopped for unique wolf gift items. To the surprise of everyone including the wolves, the Grinch made an appearance and attempted unsuccessfully to steal the wolves Christmas tree! The wolves did receive and enjoyed their tree decorated with treats.
Our Goals for 2009
- Construction of a small outdoor amphitheater to seat 30 people
Education/Gift Shop: insulation, wood stove and interior work
- Complete separation enclosure
- Begin construction of large enclosure and drive all fence posts
- Acquire Artic and/or Grey foxes
- Continue to pursue funding for the wolf education day camp
- Find a grant researcher/writer
Pumpkin Event Matt’s concert at the WMNC
Wish and Needs List, (see the complete list on the links)
Grant Writer/Researcher, lightweight snowplow set-up, outdoor benches, 2x10x14 wood planks, 9 gauge chain link fence and posts, walk-in freezer, log-splitter, many yards of crushed stone, 10x12 woodshed, 6’ cedar fence panels, tongue and groove pine paneling, log siding and glass display cases.
Dancing turtle Pups enjoying fish (thanks Ryan)
2009 Event Calendar
Welcoming the leaves Week-End, May 30-31, Gift Shop Open
Pumpkin Fest October 10th
Wolf Awareness week activities October 10-17th
Christmas with the Wolves Open House Dec 5 & 6 and Dec 19th & 20 Christmas Shopping at the Wolf Den Gift Shop, Santa and Grinch !
Visit www.thewolfmountainnaturecenter.org for more event information and seasonal hours including howl nights on Saturdays
Natani, momma wolf
At this time we would like to acknowledge the many hard working, dedicated volunteers who helped make this past year a success. THANK YOU to all who visited and supported the wolves this past year. We look forward to 2009 with excitement and hope as we work to achieve our new goals. I believe this will be a magical year here at The Wolf Mountain Nature Center. Many more people will come and experience the spirit of the wolf by visiting these magnificent animals. It has been truly an honor to be in there presence, I hope that you will come an experience them to.
Ah ho, Peace and spirit
Will Pryor
Dancing Turtle Tala
Tashina Nakoa dealing with Tala…again
Pack feeding on road kill deer
Nakoa ready for a nap with his deer hide
Another day comes to an end high up on the big hill