http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01153.html
This is a Washington Post article on how welcome the return of the wolf in the northeast will be. No opposing views expressed. There is an opportunity to comment.
wolves in Northeast
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rabidhunter66
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Emily
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from MassWildlife, state agency
MassWildlife News
October 19, 2007
POSSIBLE WOLF OR WOLF-DOG HYBRID KILLED IN SHELBURNE
After investigating reports from several Franklin County farms regarding a canid (member of the dog family) killing lambs and sheep since mid-September, MassWildlife received a call on October 14 that a large canid had been killed in Shelburne. The animal may be either a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid.
The previous day, a MassWildlife biologist visited a farm in Shelburne where 13 lambs had been killed and partially consumed. The biologist took photographs of the lambs, measured tracks found in the area and reminded the farmer that under Chapter 131 Section 37 of the Massachusetts General Laws, he had the right to destroy wildlife attacking his livestock. However, based on the large track size, large number of kills and the fact that the lambs were only partially consumed, the assumption was made that a domestic dog was the most likely cause of the farmer's loss. On Sunday morning, after being notified that a large canid had been killed he revisited the farm. Upon seeing a wolf-like canid, the biologist took possession of the carcass.
MassWildlife examined the animal and found that it was a young male, weighing 85 pounds. Stomach contents included remains of lamb (wool, bone fragments and teeth). The carcass was also examined by Dr. Todd Fuller, a professor and wolf researcher from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. He concluded that based on the physical characteristics, the animal may be a wolf, though only DNA testing can confirm whether the animal is a wolf or a wolf-dog hybrid.
Because wolves are a federally endangered species, MassWildlife notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the lead agency investigating this incident. The carcass has been turned over to the USFWS and will be sent to the Service's national forensics lab in Ashland, Oregon where DNA testing will be conducted to provide confirmation about the identity of this animal. Recently, genetic testing results from a wolf killed in Vermont led scientists to conclude that the animal in question had been bred in captivity and was most likely an unlawfully released or escaped animal.
Historically, the gray wolf was extirpated from Massachusetts by about 1840; one later record, in 1918 in Berkshire County, was noted and was probably an escaped captive animal. The closest wild wolf population to Massachusetts is located in the Algonquin Provincial Park in the Canadian province of Ontario-some 350 miles away.
"It's most likely that this animal escaped from someone who was keeping it unlawfully," said Tom French, MassWildlife Assistant Director of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. "We are grateful to the farmers who provided valuable information and kept areas relatively undisturbed so that our staff could examine the location where sheep were killed. MassWildlife biologists investigate any promising leads where substantial hard evidence of unusual animals is available. A group of sightings or evidence might point to a particular area for further investigation as was the case in Shelburne."
French also pointed out that keeping wolves and wolf/dog hybrids is illegal in Massachusetts. MassWildlife and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are interested in any information that might lead to the origin of this animal or any other unlawfully held wolves or wolf/dog hybrids. Contact MassWildlife or the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. Information about laws regarding the possession of wildlife can be found on the MassWildlife website at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulati ... exotic.htm.
October 19, 2007
POSSIBLE WOLF OR WOLF-DOG HYBRID KILLED IN SHELBURNE
After investigating reports from several Franklin County farms regarding a canid (member of the dog family) killing lambs and sheep since mid-September, MassWildlife received a call on October 14 that a large canid had been killed in Shelburne. The animal may be either a wolf or wolf-dog hybrid.
The previous day, a MassWildlife biologist visited a farm in Shelburne where 13 lambs had been killed and partially consumed. The biologist took photographs of the lambs, measured tracks found in the area and reminded the farmer that under Chapter 131 Section 37 of the Massachusetts General Laws, he had the right to destroy wildlife attacking his livestock. However, based on the large track size, large number of kills and the fact that the lambs were only partially consumed, the assumption was made that a domestic dog was the most likely cause of the farmer's loss. On Sunday morning, after being notified that a large canid had been killed he revisited the farm. Upon seeing a wolf-like canid, the biologist took possession of the carcass.
MassWildlife examined the animal and found that it was a young male, weighing 85 pounds. Stomach contents included remains of lamb (wool, bone fragments and teeth). The carcass was also examined by Dr. Todd Fuller, a professor and wolf researcher from the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. He concluded that based on the physical characteristics, the animal may be a wolf, though only DNA testing can confirm whether the animal is a wolf or a wolf-dog hybrid.
Because wolves are a federally endangered species, MassWildlife notified the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the lead agency investigating this incident. The carcass has been turned over to the USFWS and will be sent to the Service's national forensics lab in Ashland, Oregon where DNA testing will be conducted to provide confirmation about the identity of this animal. Recently, genetic testing results from a wolf killed in Vermont led scientists to conclude that the animal in question had been bred in captivity and was most likely an unlawfully released or escaped animal.
Historically, the gray wolf was extirpated from Massachusetts by about 1840; one later record, in 1918 in Berkshire County, was noted and was probably an escaped captive animal. The closest wild wolf population to Massachusetts is located in the Algonquin Provincial Park in the Canadian province of Ontario-some 350 miles away.
"It's most likely that this animal escaped from someone who was keeping it unlawfully," said Tom French, MassWildlife Assistant Director of Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. "We are grateful to the farmers who provided valuable information and kept areas relatively undisturbed so that our staff could examine the location where sheep were killed. MassWildlife biologists investigate any promising leads where substantial hard evidence of unusual animals is available. A group of sightings or evidence might point to a particular area for further investigation as was the case in Shelburne."
French also pointed out that keeping wolves and wolf/dog hybrids is illegal in Massachusetts. MassWildlife and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service are interested in any information that might lead to the origin of this animal or any other unlawfully held wolves or wolf/dog hybrids. Contact MassWildlife or the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075. Information about laws regarding the possession of wildlife can be found on the MassWildlife website at: http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/regulati ... exotic.htm.
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