Advisory Group Submits Wolf Management Guidelines to Michigan Department of Natural Resources

St. Ignace, MI -- The Michigan Wolf Management Roundtable, a committee representing a wide range of wolf-related interests, signed "Recommended Guiding Principles for Wolf Management in Michigan" on Monday in order to assist the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as they revise the state’s wolf management plan. The document outlines strategic directives for managing Michigan's wolf population once the gray wolf is removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species.

The guidelines specify that wolf management goals should be based on wolf impacts (positive and negative), rather than the number of wolves located in the state. The document promotes non-lethal management in response to human conflicts with wolves and addresses issues concerning wolf abundance and distribution, the benefits of wolves, public education about wolves, and funding for wolf management.

"Though we didn't always agree, the members of the Wolf Management Roundtable worked through difficult issues to recommend sound, practical strategies for wolf management in Michigan," said Nancy Warren, who represented Defenders of Wildlife at the roundtable. "I have the utmost faith in the recommendations we have put forth and strongly encourage the Department of Natural Resources to implement these suggestions."

In the early 1990s, the DNR originally developed the "Michigan Gray Wolf Recovery and Management Plan" as wolves began to re-colonize in Michigan. Since that time, population numbers have rebounded substantially, and in March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed removing wolves in the western Great Lakes region, including Michigan, from the Federal list of threatened and endangered species. If the wolves are removed from the list, it becomes the responsibility of the state to manage the wolf population, The DNR initiated review and revision of the existing plan to address any new issues that may occur.

"The state of Michigan has done a good job managing wolves to date, which has enabled the state's wolf population to increase from near-extinction in the 1960s to more than 400 individuals today," said Nina Fascione, vice president of field conservation with Defenders of Wildlife. "We commend the state of Michigan for initiating this collaborative effort. As the agency revises the state management plan, we encourage it to address the diverse interests represented in these recommendations while ensuring the long-term survival of wolves."

In this region, Defenders supports efforts to prevent conflicts between humans through The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund. Recently, Defenders offered funding to the Michigan DNR for the purchase of fladry, a non-lethal proactive tool which has effectively prevented conflicts between livestock and wolves.

These recommendations will be given to the DNR's director and the wolf management plan will be revised based on the recommendations from the roundtable. After the revisions are made, the new draft plan will be offered to the roundtable for review and then released for a 90-day public comment period, which will likely occur in spring of 2007.

In addition to Defenders of Wildlife, the roundtable includes the following groups: Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Commission, Chippewa Ottawa Resource Authority, DNR Wildlife and Law Enforcement Divisions, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Humane Society, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, Michigan Resource Stewards, Michigan Sheriffs' Association, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, National Wildlife Federation, Safari Club International, Sierra Club, The Wildlife Society, Timber Wolf Alliance, Upper Peninsula Sportsmen's Alliance, and Upper Peninsula Whitetails Association.

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Defenders of Wildlife is recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 500,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife works with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies, private organizations, and landowners to protect America’s national wildlife refuges.