Wisconsin officials have asked the U.S. Department of Interior to remove the wolf from the federal endangered species list in that state, as Minnesota officials did last month.
Wisconsin: Wolves no longer endangered
April 28, 2010 at 1:36AM
"We have a healthy and growing wolf population," said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank.
Minnesota is seeking delisting within Minnesota.
Wildlife biologists now count the wolf population shared by the two states in excess of 4,000 animals. The current late winter estimate of more than 700 wolves in Wisconsin is more than twice the management goal level prescribed by the Wisconsin Wolf Management Plan.
With the growth of the wolf population in Wisconsin, there have been depredation problems with wolves killing livestock and hunting dogs.
Officials say additional management tools will allow better control of the population and greater protections for livestock and pet owners.
"Placing wolves under state management allows more flexibility and improved public tolerance and acceptance of wolves," Wisconsin's petition states.
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None of the boat’s occupants, two adults and two juveniles, were wearing life jackets, officials said.
