Photo: MN DNR

Press statement from Howling for Wolves - June 18, 2020

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released its survey, “Minnesotans’ Attitudes Towards Wolves and Wolf Management”with the goal of obtaining “timely and accurate information on Minnesotans’ values, believes, and attitudes towards wolves and wolf management.”

Joseph Wolf, Howling For Wolves board member and member of the MN DNR’s Wolf Plan Advisory Committee said,  “There are very strong positive attitudes towards wolves from Minnesotans, and almost all agree wolves are important. The study also shows support for “nonlethal first” conflict prevention methods, and helping farmers learn techniques that help wolves live. It’s important to consider the attitudes of all Minnesotans, not just a small subset of ranchers, when making statewide wildlife management decisions."

The results of the report will be discussed Thursday, June 17, 2020 at the first meeting of the MN DNR’s Wolf Plan Advisory Committee.

“As a member of the committee, I will work to help Minnesota develop a “nonlethal first” policy for predator deterrent and conflict . Because the wolf is a critical part of the state’s ecosystem, we must ensure their long-term survival. The committee can provide Minnesotans with facts rather than myths and foster tolerance for wildlife. Minnesota has the largest and only original wolf population that survived wolf extermination campaigns in the lower 48 states,” said Wolf. 

Howling For Wolves is a Minnesota-based wolf advisory organization that formed in 2020 to educate the public about the wild wolf to foster tolerance and to ensure the wolf’s long-term survival. Howling For Wolves opposes recreational wolf hunting and trapping and all wildlife snaring. We advocate for nonlethal prevention methods that reduce wolf-livestock conflicts and support current federal protections for the wolf. www.HowlingForWolves.org.