Minn. to get new federal wolf money

A new federal government program will help deal with problem wolves without killing them and pay farmers more for livestock losses from wolf attacks.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced $1 million in grants Thursday. Wisconsin will get $140,000 for the program, Minnesota $100,000 and Michigan $90,000. Seven other states will split the rest.

The Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 authorizes the new Wolf Compensation and Prevention Program, with up to half the prevention and reimbursement costs paid by the feds. States would pay the other half.

The money is in addition to state funds already used to compensate livestock owners who have verified wolf attacks. It’s also in addition to a federally funded trapping program in Minnesota that kills about 200 wolves each year near where livestock or pets are attacked by wolves.

Minnesota has about 3,200 wolves while Wisconsin and Michigan each have more than 500. The animal currently is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act, although the government is expected to move in coming months to eliminate federal wolf controls in favor of state management.

The Duluth (Minn.) News

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