So far in Fiscal Year 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services Program has confirmed that 11 cattle and 35 sheep have been killed or attacked by wolves. In March, the service authorized the killing of five wolves in central Idaho after they became accustomed to killing livestock. To discourage wolves in the area, the service trapped the wolves and relocated them to habitat near the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness Area, about 150 miles north of their normal range. But wolves often find their way back to a reliable meal. Those that become too habituated to livestock have to be removed.
Lethal control is the last resort.
Rarely do we know which animal was responsible for killing the livestock. This makes it difficult to stop depredation. If we had had a better management tool we would not have had to use lethal control in the white clouds. All Rights Reserved Talk Back Let us know what you think about this story in ENN's Forum Discussion Area. Go to the Idaho Cattle Association to learn more about their views on wolf reintroduction .