Wolves were extirpated from the Northeast more than 100 years ago. Is it possible the animals could reestablish themselves? Michael Amaral, US Fish & Wildlife Service, will provide a natural history background of gray wolves, their recovery and their management plan. He will also discuss the complexities of wolf taxonomy.
Michael Amaral is Senior Endangered Species Specialist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s New England Field Office in Concord, NH. Michael’s career with USFWS includes work in southern California, ten years in Alaska, and 20+ years in New England. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from the University of Rhode Island and Master of Science in Wildlife Science from the University of Washington in Seattle. In his current position, Michael is involved in all aspects of implementing the Federal Endangered Species Act, including the listing of species, and their protection and recovery.
Michael’s presentation will explain the present listing of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act and summarize the recent dispersal of wolves into New England. He will also discuss the 2000-2003 effort to consider wolf recovery in the Northeastern U.S., and how taxonomists are now revising the traditional classification of wolves. Lastly, he will describe how a shared ancestry between the eastern wolf and the eastern coyote will complicate any effort to restore the wolf to the Northeast.
Tin Mountain Nature Program Series is sponsored by L.L. Bean and Evenor Armington Fund. Donations of $3/person and $5/family are appreciated; members are free. One and a half Forester Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for this program. Reservation for this program are requested – please call 447-6991.