CHRONOLOGY OF WOLF RECOVERY IN THE NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAINS

(Copy of EIS p. 6-20, Appendix 1. Chronology of Wolf Recovery)

Summary of Wolf Status and Recovery in Northern Rocky Mountains

  1. Wolves were abundant throughout all of North America, north of Mexico City, except extreme desert regions
  1. Extermination of ungulates and large predators began, including bison and wolves in the west.
  1. Wild ungulate populations and large predators were decimated by unregulated harvest and settlement
  1. Wolves were virtually eliminated in eastern US, greatly reduced in west.
  1. US Biological Survey initiated wolf control in west.
  1. Viable wolf populations were reported eliminated from west
  1. The last documented wild wolf was killed in the greater Yellowstone area.
  1. Reports of wolves in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Lone wolves were killed in Montana and Idaho every decade until the present time.
  1. British Columbia began recovery and wolf populations increased southward. Reports of wolves continued in US and increased slowly. Wolf reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park was recommended by several biologists.
  1. The first inter-agency meeting for management of the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf was held in Yellowstone National Park. Reports indicated there might have been 10-15 wolves in Yellowstone area and 5-10 in Glacier National Park.
  2. Wolf research Wolf Ecology Project, University of Montana, began by evaluating wolf reports and sightings. They found no evidence of wolf packs in Montana.
  3. The ESA (Endangered Species Act) was enacted; wolves became protected in the US.....Wolves became protected by Montana state law.....
  4. An Interdisciplinary Wolf Recovery Team was appointed and led by a Montana Fish and Game representative. Introduction was considered in selected areas.
  1. Wolves became protected by Idaho State law.
  2. A lone wolf was photographed and another killed in Central Idaho.....The wolves of Yellowstone report indicated no wolf packs in the Yellowstone area; viable populations ended by 1925.
  3. A lone wolf was monitored adjacent to Glacier National Park.
  4. A lone wolf depredated on livestock near Big Sandy, Montana, and was killed by FWS (Fish and Wildlife Service). This was the first documented depredation in over 50 years......The Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan was reviewed by the public and approved by the FWS.
  5. The wolf recovery team leader appointed new members, and revision of recovery plan began.
  1. The first wolf den in the western US in over 50 years was documented in Glacier National Park
  2. The revised Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan was reviewed by the public and approved by the FWS......National Park Service director Mott suggested beginning EIS for reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park. Park Service began wolf information program.......A wolf pack near Browning, Montana depredated on livestock and was removed by the FWS. Representative Owens (Utah) introduced a bill to require the NPS (National Park Service) to reintroduce wolves to Yellowstone National Park (H.R.3378 Sept. 30 1987).
  3. The Interim Wolf Control Plan was approved by FWS. The Wolf Recovery Program in Montana was staffed and funded......Congress directed National Park Service and FWS to conduct "Wolves for Yellowstone?" studies and mandated appointment of Wolf Recovery Coordinator
  4. Depredating wolves from Marion, Montana were relocated, leading to the establishment of the Ninemile wolf pack near Missoula, Montana. Representative Owens (Utah) introduced bill to Congress requiring initiation of EIS for wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone (H.R. 2786 June, 1989). It was not passed.
  5. Senator McClure (Idaho) introduced a bill "to provide for the reestablishment of the gray wolf in Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho Wilderness" (5.2674 May, 1990). It did not pass. .........The National Park Service and FWS released the first "Wolves for Yellowstone?" report, Volumes I, II........ Congress established the Wolf Management Committee. No Congressional or agency action was taken on the Committees May 1991 recommendation.
  6. Congress directed the FWS, in consultation with the Park Service and the Forest Service, to prepare a DEIS on wolf recovery in Central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park.........Congress funded the FWS to support the Animal Damage Control Wolf Management Specialist position in the west.......A black wolf was illegally poisoned on a livestock allotment in a Central Idaho Wilderness area...... Two separate radio-collared wolves moved into Idaho. One stayed, the other went back to Canada.
  7. The National Park Service and the FWS released a second "Wolves for Yellowstone?" report, Volumes III, IV........An estimated 40 wolves in 4 packs occupied northwestern Montana. All packs except the Ninemile pack, which resulted from relocation of a problem wolf in 1989, and Murphy Lake pack were still in the Glacier National Park area. Lone wolves continued to be reported throughout Montana, Idaho and Wyoming but no wolf reproduction was documented in Idaho or Wyoming.......A possible wild wolf was photographed on Yellowstone. A wolf was shot just south of Yellowstone. No other wolves located despite increased monitoring......Congress directed the FWS to complete EIS by January 1994 and that it expected the proposed alternative to conform to existing law.
  8. An estimated 45 wolves in 5 packs occupy northwestern Montana. Monitoring efforts increased in Idaho and Wyoming but no wolf packs have been located

 

Figure 1 "Tahsha" - this photo was taken about a year ago when my friend Scott was tracking in Alaska...the pup was abandoned, so he raised her until the Wildlife Commission took over. Scott believes they released her this year in Ketchikan.

 

 

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