Feds not worried about Wisconsin wolf decline

MADISON, Wis. - Federal wildlife officials say they're not concerned about the decline in Wisconsin's wolf population.

A group of scientists that included UW-Madison's Adrian Treves sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month complaining the state Department of Natural Resources' wolf population estimates are flawed and mortality is actually much higher than reported. They urged the federal agency to consider placing the wolf back on the endangered list pending a review.

Charles Wooley runs the USFWS's Midwest region. He sent a letter to Treves this week noting the state DNR is now in charge of wolf management in Wisconsin. The USFWS is aware of the decline in Wisconsin's wolf population but the population has not dipped nearly enough to raise serious concerns.