Fighting Through DNR Words That Obscure

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is out with a news release today about wolves, but you have to read past it and deep into the links it provides to find out just what the heck "management" and "depredation controls" and "euthanizing" and "take" can actually mean - - in re: "dispatch depradating wolves."

Et al.

Let's just say that dispatching wolves isn't the same as dispatching those Fed Ex boxes.

1. Zone 4 - Only USDA-WS agents, with WDNR approval, will be allowed to trap and destroy wolves causing problems. After wolves have been state delisted, proactive trapping may take place, local law enforcement officers may be allowed to dispatch wolves, and private land owners or their agents may be given permits to dispatch depredating wolves.

Though there is some all-important clarity in the release from DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp when she is quoted saying:

We appreciate Gov. Walker's attention to this issue.

And that's the second use of his name before the end of paragraph two.  Well played, agency spokesman!

Also in the linked DNR postings there is language free of obfuscation:

Reality of Wolf Attacks in North America

It is important to keep wolf attacks in perspective. There has been only one case of a healthy, wild wolf killing a person in North America in the last 100 years. Most wolves are not dangerous to humans and there is a greater chance of being killed by lightning, bee sting or car collision with a deer than being injured by a wolf.

The injuries that have occurred were caused by a few wolves that became fearless of humans due to habituation. Nonetheless, like bears and cougars, wolves are instinctive predators that should be kept wild and respected.