Ask a conservation officer

[Lee Borgersen]

  Ask a conservation officer:

    Killing wolves OK only when human life is endangered.

 Apr 5, 2015

Q: I saw a wolf in my yard sniffing around near my chicken coop. Is there any action I can take to protect my pets or livestock with these predators around?


A: Due to a recent federal court decision, gray wolves were placed back under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the endangered species list. Because of this, lethal action can be taken against a wolf only if it is posing an immediate threat to human life. If a pet or livestock animal is taken by a wolf, contact your local conservation officer or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office of law enforcement in Duluth at (218) 720-5357. With continued and frequent reports of wolf sightings and incidents, it is recommended that people keep a close eye on their pets and/or animals to try to minimize the risk posed by a wolf before an incident occurs.