Wyoming Waits for More Wolf Control

Laramie, Wy – The federal government is giving Idaho and
Montana more control over the reintroduced wolf population. But Wyoming will have to wait.
U-S Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced the new rule Monday.
Under the rule, landowners can kill wolves without prior written authority if the animals are harassing livestock or domestic pets. But wolf kills still must be backed up by physical evidence.
Ed Bangs is the wolf recovery team leader for the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service. He says that under the old rules a wolf had to actually have its teeth in the livestock before it could be killed.
The new rule allows ranchers to shoot wolves that are chasing livestock.
Montana and Idaho have had their statewide wolf management plans approved by the federal government. Wyoming filed a lawsuit after its plan was rejected.