Wes
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Federal trappers kill Idaho wolf, might kill more
The Associated Press
BOISE - Federal wildlife officials killed one gray wolf Friday and may take up to two more animals from the Hazard Lake pack in the backcountry north of McCall, in west-central Idaho, authorities said.
The male adult was trapped and killed Friday, a week after authorities exterminated the largest wolf pack in Idaho a few miles to the west.
The Hazard Lake pack, which had seven wolves but now has six, is believed to be responsible for the killing of several domestic sheep. A guard dog was also injured and another is missing from the attack Thursday morning, said Jeff Foss, field supervisor for the Snake River office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The animals belonged to the same rancher who lost more than 100 sheep during previous weeks to the Cook pack. All nine wolves of that pack were also killed.
''Despite our use of nonlethal measures, the wolves have not been deterred'' from attacking the sheep, Foss said from his Boise office Friday. The agency may kill two more members of the Hazard pack, five of which wear radio collars.
Government trackers have already placed traps in the area, Foss said. However, if the pack's top female wolf is caught, she will be released to take care of potential young offspring.
''We are taking an incremental approach to additional control actions. If it's not effective, we could authorize additional'' kills, he said.
The Cook and Hazard packs in the McCall area are among nine of the estimated 37 wolf packs in Idaho blamed for the loss of 118 sheep, 13 calves and six guard dogs last year.
Thirty-five Canadian wolves were released in the central Idaho wilderness in 1995 and 1996 as part of the program to reintroduce wolves in the Northern Rockies. The population has grown to an estimated 400, a large enough number to justify removing them from protection under the Endangered Species
Kill em all I say
Wes
The Associated Press
BOISE - Federal wildlife officials killed one gray wolf Friday and may take up to two more animals from the Hazard Lake pack in the backcountry north of McCall, in west-central Idaho, authorities said.
The male adult was trapped and killed Friday, a week after authorities exterminated the largest wolf pack in Idaho a few miles to the west.
The Hazard Lake pack, which had seven wolves but now has six, is believed to be responsible for the killing of several domestic sheep. A guard dog was also injured and another is missing from the attack Thursday morning, said Jeff Foss, field supervisor for the Snake River office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The animals belonged to the same rancher who lost more than 100 sheep during previous weeks to the Cook pack. All nine wolves of that pack were also killed.
''Despite our use of nonlethal measures, the wolves have not been deterred'' from attacking the sheep, Foss said from his Boise office Friday. The agency may kill two more members of the Hazard pack, five of which wear radio collars.
Government trackers have already placed traps in the area, Foss said. However, if the pack's top female wolf is caught, she will be released to take care of potential young offspring.
''We are taking an incremental approach to additional control actions. If it's not effective, we could authorize additional'' kills, he said.
The Cook and Hazard packs in the McCall area are among nine of the estimated 37 wolf packs in Idaho blamed for the loss of 118 sheep, 13 calves and six guard dogs last year.
Thirty-five Canadian wolves were released in the central Idaho wilderness in 1995 and 1996 as part of the program to reintroduce wolves in the Northern Rockies. The population has grown to an estimated 400, a large enough number to justify removing them from protection under the Endangered Species
Kill em all I say
Wes
