ONE RANCH, 26 WOLVES KILLED: FIGHT OVER ENDANGERED PREDATORS DIVIDES RANCHERS AND CONSERVATIONISTS

December 18th, Washington: Many ranches have routinely used state-contracted range riders to ward off wolves, which are listed by Washington as endangered. But not the Diamond M Ranch, which has grazed its cattle on federal land near the U.S.-Canada border in northeast Washington since World War II. Environmentalists say the ranch not only fails to take preventive steps to safeguard its herds, but in some cases brings on the bloodshed by leaving cattle near known wolf dens.

COLORADO INITIATIVE WOULD OK REINTRODUCING THE GRAY WOLF

December 11th: Backers of a ballot initiative delivered thousands of voter signatures on Tuesday to the secretary of state’s office in hopes of getting their proposal on the 2020 ballot. Officials have 30 days to determine if enough signatures are valid to qualify the initiative.The initiative would direct the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission to develop a plan to reintroduce wolves on public land west of the Continental Divide before 2024.

WOLF MANAGEMENT PLAN UNDER REVIEW IN MINNESOTA

December 7th: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is in the process of updating the state’s wolf management plan. Officials want state residents to participate as much as possible. A final decision on whether gray wolves will be delisted should be reached by March 2020, hence MDNR’s rationale for updating the wolf management plan and creating the special committee. If someone is interested in applying, they can find more information on MDNR’s website. The deadline to apply is Dec. 20. Committee members will be selected in January with the first committee meeting scheduled for February.

RED WOLF PACK BEING TRANSFERRED TO MILL MOUNTAIN ZOO IN ROANOKE

December 7th, North Carolina: With a recommendation from the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (SSP), eight members of the Museum of Life and Science's endangered red wolf family will be relocated to a larger, half-acre habitat at the Mill Mountain Zoo. The network of zoos and animal preserves that work together to help protect the red wolves makes decisions that will best improve their odds of long-term survival. Animal relocations are a key part of that process.

WNC NATURE CENTER UNVEILS RED WOLF CASTING FOR HOLIDAY EVENT

December 6th, North Carolina: On Saturday, Dec. 14, the WNC Nature Center will host their annual holiday celebration, A Winter’s Tail, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be festive crafts, photos with Santa, face painting, games, and special education moments with animal ambassadors. Regular Nature Center admission rates apply; Friends members receive free admission. Additional event information available at wildwnc.org/event/a-winters-tail and through the WNC Nature Center’s Facebook page.

MUSEUM MINUTE: REINTRODUCTION OF WOLVES TO YELLOWSTONE

December 6th, Wyoming: In 1995, grey wolves were brought down from Canada to Yellowstone. Corey Anco, the assistant curator of the Draper Natural History Museum, said the animals were brought down in metal crates. The Draper Natural History Museum has one of those original crates. The wolf reintroduction tells the story of re-wilding one of America's greatest parks and one of the greatest science experiments ever taken,” said Anco.

SHOULD GRAY WOLVES BE REINTRODUCED TO COLORADO?

December 5th: The debate around wolf reintroduction & what we can learn from the lynx

LEARN ABOUT GRAY WOLVES IN CALIFORNIA ON DEC. 19

December 5th: Kent Laudon, wolf specialist with California Department of Fish and Wildlife will be presenting information on California’s Gray Wolf, during a special joint-meeting of the Nevada County Agricultural Advisory Commission and the Nevada County Fish and Wildlife Commission. Information presented will include the gray wolf’s status as an endangered species, information on California’s only known established wolf pack, and tips on living with wolves. This special meeting will be held on December 19, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Board of Supervisor Chambers. For additional information please contact the Nevada County Department of Agriculture, 530-470-2690, AGDept@co.nevada.ca.us.

WDFW VOWS TO TRY 'UNUSED TOOLS' TO STOP WOLF ATTACKS

December 5th, Washington: Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife has promised to try "previously unused tools" to protect cattle and avoid shooting wolves next year in the Kettle River Range. The pledge responds to Gov. Jay Inslee's complaint that perennially culling wolfpacks in the northeast Washington mountain range is unacceptable.