Madison, WI- Rep. Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) released the following statement after the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced that they would be removing the gray wolf from the endangered species list.
“The decision to de-list the gray wolf and lift its federal protections is a welcome one to everyone living in Northern Wisconsin. In the three decades since the gray wolf was added to the endangered species list, we have seen its population numbers soar, and, especially in the last several years, we have seen wolf packs become dangerous, roaming into farmlands and population centers, and killing livestock and dogs.”
The DNR places this winter’s minimum wolf count at 1,034 wolves, a 13% increase from 2019 and a 4,136% increase from 1980 when there were only 25 gray wolves in Wisconsin. The number of packs whose territory lies in Wisconsin has increased from 243 to 256 in the last year alone.
“Wisconsin issues require Wisconsin solutions and I thank the Trump Administration and Congressman Tiffany for making this happen. Now that the gray wolf is off the federal endangered species list, I urge the Department of Natural Resources to immediately begin the process to reinstate the wolf hunt and work with our state’s sportsmen and women to create a new wildlife management plan. I have faith in the DNR to maintain a healthy population level for the gray wolf, just like they do with every other species in Wisconsin.”
