FWS updates wolf depredations
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
October 26, 2008
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is once again providing regular wolf updates in the Rocky Mountain region. The agency reports: "From 7/18/08 to 9/15/08, livestock depredations have occurred mainly in the Green River drainage and in Sunlight Basin/Crandall drainages. WGFD and Wildlife Services have confirmed 9 cattle and 4 sheep killed by wolves in the Green River drainage. At least 8 cattle have been killed by wolves in the Sunlight Basin/Crandall drainages. Agency control actions to remove problem wolves are ongoing in the Green River and in the Crandall drainages to minimize additional depredations."
On 9/16/08, 8 sheep were killed by wolves on a public grazing allotment in the Upper Green River drainage. On 9/20/08, 2 additional sheep were killed by wolves. Control is ongoing to remove the Green River Pack which has repeatedly killed livestock this summer (8 cattle and 14 sheep). The pack consists of 4 adults and probably did not produce pups this year.
On 9/20/08, 1 calf was killed by wolves on a public grazing allotment south of Dubois, WY. Control actions were completed when W.S. removed 3 wolves from the East Fork Pack on 9/29/08.
On 9/20/08, wolves in the Crandall Pack killed an adult cow on a public grazing allotment in the Sunlight Basin area. On 9/28/08, 1 additional calf was killed by Crandall Pack wolves on a public grazing allotment. Control actions were completed when W.S. killed an adult female wolf at the depredation site on 9/29/08
On 9/23/08, 1 yearling steer was killed by 3 wolves in the Sunlight Basin, west of Cody, WY. This summer the Sunlight Pack killed >6 cattle. The USFWS requested W.S. to remove the 3 Sunlight Pack wolves and a Shoot-on-site permit was issued to the livestock producer.
Depredations: From January 1, 2008 through September 29, 2008, 60 confirmed wolf depredations (34 cattle and 26 sheep) were recorded in Wyoming. Two additional cows and 1 calf were injured by wolves.
To request an investigation of livestock injured or killed by wolves, please contact your nearest Wyoming Game and Fish Department office or call USDA Wildlife Services at (307)261-5336.
Mike Jimenez can also be called at (307)733-7096 or (307)330-5631.
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