Sixty-eight dead wolves in Wyoming
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
November 12, 2008
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that so far this year, it has documented 68 dead wolves in Wyoming. Cause of death includes:
Agency control: 38 (56% of total mortality);
Predator area take: 9 (14%);
Under investigation: 7 (10%);
Natural: 3 (5%);
Vehicle strikes: 2 (3%);
Individual control: 2 (3%);
Capture related: 1 (1%); and
Unknown; 6 (9%).
For comparison, in 2007, the number of dead wolves in the state totaled 75, the highest mortality year recorded by FWS.
It is anticipated that the number of wolves killed in control actions will increase before the year ends. Last Thursday, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department confirmed a calf killed by wolves on private property west of Cody, according to FWS.
"Numerous depredations have occurred on this property over the last several years," FWS reported. FWS requested USDA Wildlife Services to remove the two depredating wolves on the private property and issued the livestock producer a shoot-on-site permit to kill two wolves.
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