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Critically Endangered Red wolf killed in North Carolina23/09/2012 21:02:08
Red wolf by Ryan Nordsven, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service September 2012. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting assistance with an investigation involving the suspected illegal take of a radio-collared red wolf that was recently found dead. The red wolf is protected under The Endangered Species Act. Extinct in the wild The red wolf (Canis rufus) is one of the world's most endangered wild canids. Once common throughout the south-eastern United States, red wolf populations were decimated by the 1960's due to intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat. A remnant population of red wolves was found along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana. After being declared an endangered species in 1967, efforts were initiated to locate and capture as many wild red wolves as possible. Of the 17 remaining wolves captured by biologists, 14 became the founders of a successful captive breeding program. Consequently, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service declared red wolves extinct in the wild in 1980. Released back into the wild 100 wild wolves, 200 in captivity Red wolves Red wolves are social animals that live in packs consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring of different years, typically five to eight animals. Red wolves prey on a variety of wild mammals such as raccoon, rabbit, white-tailed deer, nutria, and other rodents. Most active at dusk and dawn, red wolves are elusive and generally avoid humans and human activity. The maximum criminal penalties for the unlawful taking of a red wolf are one year imprisonment and $100,000 fine per individual. Anyone with information on the death of this red wolf or any others, past or future, is urged to contact Special Agent Sandra Allred at (919) 856-4786, Refuge Officer Frank Simms at (252) 216-7504 or North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Officer Robert Wayne at (252) 216-8225.
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Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
Steve, like so many in the West, you believe all the land is for YOUR use. What you fail to say is, when the wolves branch out onto lands adjacent to parks, it is usually onto federally owned land that ranchers use up at incredibly discounted rates. And studies have shown wolf reintroduction has increased the big game numbers by culling the weak and old, thus allowing a manageable number that doesn't eat itself out of food as has been happening. You are right that as people move into every inch of undeveloped land it causes conflict. People move to the wilderness and then complain about mountain lions, coyotes etc.. Don't move there if you don't want to be around them. Steve, you embarrass me as an American.
Posted by: kkrininger | 01 Oct 2012 17:58:23
I can't answer on the Red Wolf, but easily on the Grey Wolf. We don't hate wolves per say, we hate a non-native species forced on us and released in the wrong area. Our native Timber Wolf(Grey Wolf subspecies) was well suited to our area. Shy, normally found in remote areas, in family groups seldom numbering more than 6, weighing in the 70-80# range, feeding on young, weak, or dead Big Game(Elk,Deer, Moose) on the winter range, and seldom coming in conflict with Livestock and did not overly impact Big Game numbers. Their numbers were limited by the prey available. No one really knew how many there actually were. In the early 90's Gov. prodded by "Greenies" decided there weren't enough and a reintroduction was in order. But instead of a program similar to the "Red Wolf" one; Gov. decided "a grey wolf is a grey wolf" and in '95 they reintroduced "Canadian Wolves". Big brutes that weigh from 80- 150#, run in packs of up to 40 and capable of taking anything that moves. They have a larger range, sometimes traveling 20 to 50 miles in a nite, rotating around their Den in pupping time; and were planted in areas where wolves were not even historically found, along with the "Timber Wolf" areas. They quickly desimated the native wolves along with the Big game populations, left these remoter areas and came into conflict with Livestock and humans. They were to be protected until there were 700 wolves including 30 breeding pairs, in the state of Idaho. As they spread to other states, each state would make their own rules. It was expected to take 10 years, but the numbers were attained in 3. The myth of only the Alpha pair breeding turned out to be false, they bred like rats, and the population exploded. Wolves leaving the remote areas or becoming Livestock killers were to be eliminated, and reinbursments paid for kills. Those promises were also Lies, for the most part. Reinbursment funds went broke, payments were only authorized for confirmed wolf-kills and because in most cases they ate everything but some hair and big bones, Stockmen weren't paid. We don't want them all killed, just brought under control and their numbers down to the agreed level. And they stay away from civilization; people and wolves can not coexist. Now you have the true story.
Posted by: Steve Thomas | 29 Sep 2012 07:46:11
Why do Americans hate wolves so much? There are numerous wolf reintroduction programmes in various states, but they still get slaughtered, even when they are wearing radio collars which show they are part of a monitored programme. Protected status has been removed from the Grey Wolf in several US states, so that trigger-happy men can blast them out of existence. Will the tax-payers then have to start another reintroduction programme? Will the same thing happen with this Red Wolf programme?
Posted by: Andrea Polden | 28 Sep 2012 15:54:17
another trigger happy yank ? maximum penalty ? will never be caught. there is enough space in all of that area, for wolvs to live quietly, without the interference of non human animals.i bet hes a real hero !
Posted by: dee donworth | 23 Sep 2012 11:42:25
another trigger happy yank ? maximum penalty ? will never be caught. there is enough space in all of that area, for wolvs to live quietly, without the interference of non human animals.i bet hes a real hero !
Posted by: dee donworth | 23 Sep 2012 11:42:23