Posted: Thursday, February 23, 2012 9:12 AM
Federal wildlife agents shoot 14 wolves
LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) -- Federal wildlife agents shot and killed 14 wolves from helicopters in northern Idaho as part of an effort to help increase the elk population in the Lolo zone.
The three-day operation earlier this month cost $22,500 and was carried out by USDA Wildlife Services and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.
Through Wednesday, hunters and trappers had taken 22 wolves from the Lolo zone, while another six were shot from helicopters last spring, bringing the total known wolf kills to 42.
In recent years, wolves have been identified as the primary cause of death in female elk and calves over six months old.
Before the start of the hunting season, the Lolo zone wolf population was estimated at 75 to 100, with additional animals crossing back and forth between Idaho and Montana.
Copyright 2012 The AP.
Comments made about this article
Posted By: Mike next door in Wa. On: 2/24/2012
Title:
"In recent years, wolves have been identified as the primary cause of death in female elk and calves over six months old. "
Well the 'wolves are natural" folks should be thrilled,, Wolves have been killing with astounding efficiency they are #1 Elk killer in Idaho ! Wolves don't have to buy a licence to kill 1 elk,, they're free to kill all the Elk they want all 12 months of the year ! Wolves have undoubtedly severely reduced the deer population in Idaho too. Thank You USDA and "Wolves are natural" crowd !!
We're just lucky the Saber-Tooth Tiger has been long since extinct. Will only be able to see ELK in the Zoo with this kind of "success" !
Posted By: Randy Wagner On: 2/23/2012
Title: Feds shoot wolves to save Elk for hunters to shoot
Seems to me, it is a evil circle, and with the USDA and the feds involved, it just completes the circle. Ranchers and farmers complain that the wolves are killing their animals (which happen to be inhabiting the wolves territory), so they shoot the wolves. The feds decide to shoot the wolves because they are depleting the elk herds, but that are the original food of the wolves, this allows for more hunters to be cold licenses to hunt elk, which depletes the wolves food, so they will go hunt the farmers stock. Stay the hell out of the wilderness areas, leave the wolves alone. Idiots.