U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks comments on red wolf regulation change

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments regarding a proposed change in the regulations regarding the management of the nonessential experimental population designation of the red wolf. The agency has noted that the current regulations governing management “are no longer effective in addressing the current and future management needs of the red wolf and preclude the development of sound management strategies for this species.” The proposed changes would “establish a more manageable wild propagation population that will allow for more resources to support the captive population component of the red wolf program (which is the genetic fail safe for the species); serve the future needs of new reintroduction efforts; retain the influences of natural selection on the species; eliminate the regulatory burden on private landowners; and provide a population for continued scientific research on wild red wolf behavior and population management.” There are an estimated 40 “pure” red wolves in the wild in North Carolina as a result of the release of captive-bred animals. Recent genetic reports have found that the red wolf is genetically 75 percent coyote. The primary threats to the red wolf’s continued existence in the wild is interbreeding with coyotes—which are plentiful in North Carolina—and human-related mortalities such as vehicle collision and gunshot. Comments are due by July 30. Comments can be submitted online at www.regulations.gov using the search term “FWS-R4-ES-2018-0035” or via mail at Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R4-ES-2018-0035, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. — WLJ