Wildlife experts are concerned that a recent campaign to educate Utah residents about a possible return of gray wolves has caused more alarm than enlightenment. Unfortunately, by having these discussions, it often creates wolf hysteria.
People get the impression that wolves are migrating in mass quantities.
The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources last week ended a series of public meetings around the state. Mike Wolfe, a biologist in the states mammals program, traveled to Salt Lake City, Provo, Moab, Logan, Richfield and Vernal answering questions and taking written comments on the possibility of wolves returning and what to do about them if they do. Wolfe estimates that within the next two to five years, wolves, which were exterminated in Utah 70 years ago, may return to the northeastern part of the state. But the arguments for keeping the wolves out have changed little since the last Utah wolf was killed in 1930. Wolves kill livestock.