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New service helps people prevent and solve problems with wolves
March 29, 2006
Residents and visitors in the Ely area now have a place to turn when they are concerned about bold or sick wolves, wolves on their property, or the safety of people and pets. The International Wolf Center, Vermilion Community College's Natural Resource Department and the US Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services have created a helpline for individuals with questions or dealing with wolf related issues. Phone lines for the Wolf Helpline open on April 1st to residents within a 25-mile radius of Ely. The number to call is 365-4695 ext. 34.
"The Center has always received calls from people who want to know what to do to prevent or respond to problems with wolves," says International Wolf Center Assistant Director Jim Williams. "This gives us a chance to formalize the process and make more people aware the Center is available to help with these issues."
Over the last year, the Center has received calls about injured wolves at the outskirts of Ely, wolves drawn into people's yards by deer feeding stations, bold wolves that had apparently received human food, and wolves killing pets. In response, the Center has provided practical advice and solutions. When a problem exceeds the Center's expertise or authority, the Center refers it to DNR conservation officers or USDA Wildlife Services.
Williams says, "People can prevent most problems with wolves by following a few simple guidelines. The Wolf Helpline will disseminate those guidelines so that we can enjoy living in wolf country without causing problems that are bad for wolves and people."
Tips given to avoid problems with wolves include: do not feed wolves, feed all pets indoors, leave no food outdoors, dispose of all food and garbage in cans with secure lids, don't feed deer and don't leave pets unattended outside.
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Founded in 1985, the International Wolf Center is a nonprofit educational organization that advances the survival of wolf populations around the world by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wild lands and the human role in their future. The Center pursues this mission through educational initiatives that include a membership program, learning vacations, an interpretive center in Northern Minnesota, international conferences, youth outreach programs, teacher education resources and workshops, a quarterly magazine and a Web site, www.wolf.org.
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