Wyoming wolf update
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
August 11, 2010
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that wolves from the Buffalo Pack were suspected of killing a border collie herding dog in the Gros Ventre drainage southwest of Jackson.
In addition, on July 26, USDA Wildlife Services confirmed a calf was injured by wolves on private property west of Cody.
For more on wolf activity in the state, click on the FWS link below.
Grand Teton National Park reports: "A yearling male wolf was hit and killed by an unknown vehicle on Wednesday morning, August 4, just north of the Spread Creek Bridge on Highway 26/89/191 in Grand Teton National Park. The black-colored wolf, weighing about 50-60 pounds, was discovered by a passerby around 8 a.m. It was lying in the middle of the roadway and still alive; however, it died before rangers could arrive. The young wolf was probably a member of the Buffalo Pack that frequents the eastern portion of Grand Teton; this pack has successfully denned in the park since 2008.
Park officials did not receive any reports of an accident and further details are not known. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, a motor vehicle operator is required to report an accident involving property damage, personal injury, or death—which includes the injury or death of wildlife.
"This is the second gray wolf killed by a vehicle on park roads this year. On February 15, a sub-adult male wolf was hit and killed on Highway 26/89/191 in the vicinity of Elk Ranch Flats. Earlier this year, a 3 1/2-year-old male grizzly bear was hit and killed just south of the Spread Creek Bridge—not far from the current wolf mortality. This is a wildlife-rich area of the park, with brush and trees near to the roadbed; vegetation can reduce the visibility of animals that may be lingering near the road. Wildlife are also typically found near riparian areas, and motorists should slow down, use extra caution, and be more alert while driving through riparian areas or locations with limited roadside visibility.
"Each year in Grand Teton, an average of one or more wolves and bears (grizzly and/or black) are involved in vehicle collisions that result in the injury or death of the animal. In the past five years, vehicle-related deaths of wolves and bears include: 2006, one black bear and one gray wolf; 2007, two black bears and one grizzly bear cub; 2008, two gray wolves; 2009, one black bear; and 2010, two wolves, one grizzly bear, and one bear (unverified species) that was injured, but left the scene."
For more on Grand Teton National Park news, click on the link below.
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