The gray wolf is a federally protected species that plays a big role in our local ecosystem. The wolf has been poached for many years, but there have been many more cases than usual recently, and the Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for more ways to bust the poachers. There is currently a $1000 reward to be given to anyone who has convicting information on wolf poaching.
Some people don't think that the wolf is responsible for causing harm in our local ecosystem, but like most U.P. citizens, I believe that the wolf population poses a threat to livestock, pets, and several other local species. Their are currently 434 wolves in the U.P., up from 405 in 2005. 434 is a happy medium for the population, considering the U.P. can support up to 800 wolves. The population seems to be at a good level to me, so i think creating a hunting season for them would hurt the current situation more than it would help. I think that if people expect to stop wolf poaching, more efficient technology needs to be introduced and more wolves, definately more than the current number of 50, need to be fitted with tracking collars.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service should definately keep looking into this situation. If these gray wolves are being poached and are a federally protected animal, the government should do everything they can to protect them. If this goes unpunished this poaching could contuine. Although these animals are not on the brink of extincion we should prevent their further decrease in numbers.
This is a picture of a gray wolf.
