20 Yellowstone wolves killed by hunters after wandering out of the park

Montana recently relaxed its regulations on wolf hunting near the Yellowstone border, and this season a record number of wolves roaming outside the park’s confines have been killed.

Park officials say So far 20 have been killed by hunters this season, 15 captured in Montana. The remaining five were shot in Wyoming and Idaho. The figures include animals from the Phantom Lake Pack, which park officials say are now considered culled because most or all of its members were among those killed.

With wolf trap season just beginning, officials believe even more of the park’s remaining 94 wolves will be lost.

In one statement told the Associated Press, the park said it was “a significant step back for the long-term viability of the species and for the study of wolves.”

Park director Cam Sholly has urged Montana Governor Greg Gianforte to close hunting and trapping for the remainder of the season in areas near the park due to “Extraordinary number” of the Yellowstone wolves that were slain. He is asking the state to restore previous hunting limits on lands bordering the park, which were removed last year. Before that, only certain animals were allowed to take away. This year, the quota for southwestern Montana – which includes these contiguous regions – is 82.

Hunting and trapping rules have also been relaxed, allowing the use of bait and traps.

Yellowstone spokesman Morgan Warthin said the rule changes were also worrisome, explain, “The allowance for setting traps and especially bait is a big concern, especially if these tactics lure wolves out of the park.”

Gianforte, who witnessed some controversy last year After trapping and shooting a radio-eared wolf ten miles north of the park border without taking a required trap education course, wrote a letter of response to Sholly. He said Montana protects against over-hunting and may consider hunting seasons if the number of animals captured exceeds a certain threshold.

He more, “Once a wolf leaves a park and enters land in the State of Montana, it may be harvested in accordance with regulations established by the (State Wildlife) Commission under Montana law.”

From 1995 to 1997, 41 wild wolves from Canada and northwestern Montana were released into Yellowstone. By 2007, their population had grown to 171. Gray wolves were later removed from the endangered species list in Montana in 2011. Yellowstone’s website notes that as the population grows, more The animals are scattered throughout the surrounding areas, where they have little protection from humans – the worrisome mortality.

In September, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service notice that it’s under review whether gray wolves should be re-listed under the Endangered Species Act, noting that new regulations in Idaho and Montana “may not be appropriate” to protect animals from increased mortality human-caused death.

If you would like to help restore ESA protections to gray wolves, Sign this petition.