Wildlife Board to Receive Reminder About State's Wolf Management Plan

Apr 08, 2008 by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Late last month, wolves were removed from the endangered species list in several western states. On Thursday, Utah's Wildlife Board will receive an update on the state's Wolf Management Plan, which will take effect in just a small corner of northeastern Utah.

"In other places in Utah, the wolves are still under the protection of the Endangered Species Act," says Kevin Bunnell, Mammals Program Coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "And that's what is making this awkward for us. When the Wolf Management Plan was written, the scenario we imagined is that all, or at least most of, the state would be delisted at one time."

Bunnell says it's important to review the state's wolf policy with the board because five of the seven board members have been replaced since the plan was put in place in 2005.

Under Wyoming's management plan, wolves are considered predators in certain areas of the state. As such, three wolves were killed within three days of their delisting. Bunnell says that provision is not part of Utah's plan, however livestock owners are allowed to protect their investment.

"If wolves are caught harassing livestock, it does allow for livestock owners to kill wolves under that scenario, or if wolves are caught in the act of actually attacking an animal," says Bunnell. "There are provisions for permits to be given if there has been confirmed loss."

Bunnell adds the state's plan does not offer hunters the opportunity to harvest a wolf. In addition to Utah and Wyoming, wolves were delisted in Idaho, Montana, and parts of Oregon and Washington.

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