Wolves Detected in Nevada for First Time in Eight Years

Wolves Rediscovered in Nevada

RENO, Nev.— The Nevada Department of Wildlife has announced that it detected three animals thought to be wolves in northern Elko County. This is the first time that wolves have been documented in Nevada since 2016.

“I’m so happy to welcome wolves back to the Silver State where they belong,” said Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. “Wolves are a vital part of healthy mountain ecosystems in the West, and there’s plenty of room for them to thrive in Nevada.”

Discovery and Documentation

1. The animals were first detected on March 17 by a helicopter crew that was contracted by the department to radio-collar moose.
2. The crew reported its sighting to the department, which then coordinated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a search plan.
3. This led to a site visit by department staff, who discovered tracks, collected scat for DNA-testing and set out trail cameras.

Habitat and Food Source

The area where these wolves were detected is a mix of high desert sagebrush steppe and mountains forested in pinyon pine and juniper, with more mountainous forests at higher elevations. Northern Elko County is rich in ungulates like moose, elk, deer and pronghorns, which provide a food source for wolves.

Dispersal and Potential Source Populations

At 2 to 3 years old, wolves typically disperse from the pack in which they’re born and set off to seek mates and territories of their own. They can wander hundreds of miles in this search.

While state officials don’t yet know where these wolves came from, California, Oregon and Idaho could all become good source populations for more wolves to make their way into Nevada.

Endangered Species Protection

The wolf confirmed in Nevada in 2016 was determined, through genetic analysis of scat collected from the animal, to be an offspring of neighboring California’s Shasta pack.

Any wolves dispersing into Nevada or establishing packs there are protected as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Killing or harming wolves is prohibited and punishable by fines and jail time.

Importance of Wolf Conservation

“State and federal wildlife officials should do everything they can to ensure these wolves are protected,” said Weiss. “Wolves are symbols of the wildness of the West, and Nevada is as wild as it gets. It’s truly inspiring to watch as wolves continue to recover under the protections of the Endangered Species Act.”

Historical Context

Wolves historically ranged through Nevada. Federal trappers reported capturing wolves in the northern half of the state throughout the early part of the 20th century. As is true across the country, wolves were systematically exterminated from Nevada through a system of bounties.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land

The issue highlighted in the article is the detection of wolves in northern Elko County, Nevada. This is connected to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and halting biodiversity loss.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• Target 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

The article highlights the importance of wolves as a vital part of healthy mountain ecosystems in the West. The presence of wolves in Nevada contributes to the protection and preservation of natural habitats and biodiversity, aligning with Target 15.5. Additionally, the article mentions the need for state and federal wildlife officials to ensure the protection of these wolves, indicating the integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning and development processes, which relates to Target 15.9.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 15.5: Number of threatened species protected or prevented from extinction.
• Indicator for Target 15.9: Number of national and local planning and development processes that integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values.

The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, the protection of wolves in Nevada can be measured by the number of threatened species protected or prevented from extinction, which is an indicator for Target 15.5. The integration of ecosystem and biodiversity values into planning and development processes can be measured by the number of national and local planning and development processes that incorporate these values, which is an indicator for Target 15.9.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: biologicaldiversity.org

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