The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an advisory last week in response to multiple confirmed reports of wolf activity in Marathon County in late August and early September.
On Sept. 8, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services branch verified the depredation of a pet cat by a wolf in Marathon County at the end of August. The same report also included a verified level three health and human safety conflict at a residence in the town of Texas.
Experts define a level three threat as a wolf exhibiting natural behaviors in frequent close proximity to people.
Following a federal court ruling in 2022, gray wolves are listed as an endangered species in the lower 48 states, excluding the northern Rocky Mountains region. This provides wolves with federal protection, making it illegal to harvest or deploy lethal depredation control.
According to the DNR, Wisconsin’s wolf population remains healthy and secure.
The Wisconsin DNR partners with the USDA Wildlife Services department to investigate reported conflicts with wolves.
To see interactive maps, past depredation and safety conflict reports and damage payment information,
visit https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/wolf/maps.
“For livestock and pet owners dealing with a potential wolf-involved conflict, swift reporting to USDA-Wildlife Services remains critical for the collection of evidence and the timely implementation of conflict resolution options,” reads a passage on the site.
If you suspect a wolf or bear has depredated your livestock or pet, call the USDA Wildlife Services department at 1-800-228-1368.
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