Federal wolf official taking a top role in Wyoming

CASPER, Wyo. — A federal wildlife official who helped direct the reintroduction of gray wolves in Wyoming has accepted a new position coordinating the state of Wyoming's wolf program.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission announced the hiring of Mike Jimenez on Friday.

Jimenez has been the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wyoming Wolf Recovery Project leader since 1999. In his new role, he will oversee three state wolf management specialists.

Wyoming, Montana and Idaho took over management of their wolf populations last month when the animals were removed from the federal Endangered Species list. A coalition of environmental groups has given notice of its intent to sue the Fish and Wildlife Service over the decision.

"I've been involved with wolves for over 20 years, and this takes it into the step of trying to take them into the general wildlife program of the state," Jimenez said. "To me that was always the intent of wolf recovery. I'm looking forward to trying to integrate wolves into the overall wildlife program. And that's where wolves belong."

Commissioners and department officials said Jimenez will bring a voice of experience and credibility to the hot-button issue of wolf management.

"Mike has been involved with Wyoming's wolf populations since reintroduction, and I don't think anyone has a better understanding of these animals, Wyoming's unique landscape, and the diversity of social issues involved with managing wolves in this state," Jay Lawson, the department's wildlife chief, said in a statement.

Also Friday, Scott Talbott, assistant chief of the wildlife division, said the Wyoming department plans public meetings from June 9 to June 12 regarding the state's first wolf-hunting season in the trophy zone. The zone is an area of the state's northwest corner where the animals may be hunted in season by licensed hunters. The department will then make a recommendation to the commission in July.

Talbott also said the department has decided to forgo a wolf-trapping season this fall in the state's trophy zone.

"Initially we're not going to propose wolf trapping seasons," he said. "We'll look at it as we go forward."