It has been more than a decade since wolves were reintroduced to the northern Rockies and last week they were set to be removed from the Endangered Species List, barring any last minute legal action on behalf of environmentalists. The removal marks one of the few successes of the Endangered Species Act, but it has not been without controversy. Following the actual removal set for March 28, the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming will gain local management control from the federal government which will make wolf management a local issue and remove a great deal of bureaucracy when it comes to protecting livestock from the predators.

"It’s been a success story, and we got more wolves in more places than we thought," Ed Bangs, a Wildlife Service biologist who led the wolf recovery effort told the Associated Press last week. "Delisting is the right thing to do, and it’s the right time. I might even have a glass of champagne on Friday."

As evidence of the success, federal and state officials point to the increase in the number of wolves in the three states. In each case, the numbers far exceed the management objectives set by the federal government prior to the introduction of the first wolves into Yellowstone National Park in 1992. Montana’s wolf population increased 34 percent in 2007 to an estimated 422 wolves in 73 packs, according to the state’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) department. The wolves were equally distributed between northern and southern Montana, according to the department’s annual wolf report. But the bulk of the population growth was in northwestern and far western Montana, where it increased by about 92 wolves, to 213.

The Greater Yellowstone area saw a population increase of 14 wolves, to 209.

In Idaho, the state estimates there are 732 wolves and Wyoming had 359 wolves, according to 2007 estimates. The minimum recovery goal for wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains is 30 breeding pairs and at least 300 wolves for three consecutive years, a goal that was attained in 2002 and has been exceeded every year since.

A group of wolf advocacy groups, mostly environmentalist organizations, have said they will sue the federal government over the delisting, which could delay the delisting process for years beyond March 28. The 11 groups who are party to the suit led by EarthJustice, a California-based group that specializes in environmental litigation, claim that the states’ plans to manage wolves will lead to sharp decreases in population numbers of an animal that isn’t fully recovered. However, Carolyn Sime, Montana FWP’s wolf management coordinator in Helena, said the management plans don’t differ significantly from the federal program which has been successful at increasing populations despite having to remove problem wolves.

According to statistics released by the state of Montana, of a total of 102 wolf deaths documented in 2007, 73 were related to livestock depredations, seven were killed illegally, and six were struck by vehicles or trains. Others died from a variety of causes common to all wildlife species, including poor health and old age. Despite the loss of 102 wolves, the Montana wolf population is still very secure, state officials said. FWP documented a minimum of 163 pups at the end of 2007, a number which will help ensure adequate numbers of wolves in the future.

Because of the increase in wolf populations, the animals are spreading into areas of the three states where they pose a significant concern for ranchers. Already, there have been numerous reports of livestock depredations by wolves. State management will make it easier for ranchers and others to have wolf problems addressed. Rather than working through the red tape of dealing with depredations by a endangered species, the animals will be dealt with as predators.

Confirmed cattle deaths in Montana alone increased from 32 in 2006 to 75 in 2007, and confirmed sheep death losses increased from four to 27. Three wolf packs accounted for 25 percent of the confirmed cattle losses and 30 percent of the wolves authorized to be killed in response. One wolf pack and lone wolves were responsible for all confirmed sheep losses. Two llamas and three dogs were also confirmed killed by wolves. Additional losses and injuries occurred, but either could not be verified or were determined to be "probable" wolf kills.
"We know Montana’s wolves inhabit places where people live, work and recreate," said Sime. "We expect and try to anticipate conflicts and gear much of our wolf management work toward helping landowners reduce the risk of livestock depredations."

Sime noted that of 73 wolves that were killed to prevent further depredations, 11 were killed by private citizens in southern Montana’s experimental area. She said a variety of nonlethal tools were also employed in cooperation with landowners to reduce potential conflicts. For example, FWP again collaborated in several range rider projects. FWP and Wildlife Services also field-tested electrified fladry for the first time through a Conservation Innovation Grant provided by the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service.

Of the three state plans, Wyoming is the only state to have adopted such a broad predator policy for wolves. However, Idaho and Montana, along with Minnesota, have adopted liberal hunting or property protection rules in areas that have lots of livestock and limited wolf habitat.

Ranchers in southern Minnesota can shoot any wolf bothering their livestock. Idaho has indicated it will also adopt a liberal hunting policy in certain high-conflict areas and expects Montana will do the same.

"Every state that’s done a wolf management plan has included that concept," he said. "There are some places where wolves can live and other places where wolves can’t be allowed to live because of conflict," said Bangs. — John Robinson, WLJ Editor