The Grey Wolf population continues to grow in Wisconsin.
That's good news for the wolves but bad news for farmers where new packs have been forming at the edge of the northern forest and closer to farm areas in Douglas and Bayfield Counties.
According to the DNR's Adrian Wydeven, the wolves are killing farm animals. Four farms hit this month alone. That's about the same as last year but last year the DNR had permission to kill problem wolves. This year a federal judge ruled they can't kill any more after an animal rights group claimed it violated the Endangered Species Act.
Farmers have to resort to trap and release, flashing lights, noisemakers and other things that will scare off the wolves.
Wydeven says it al helps but is not very effective. The Grey Wolf may come off the endangered list in 2007 well before the judge's ruling can be successfully appealed.
wolvesva083006.mp3 (456k)