Authorities kill 3rd male wolf
CODY — For the third time, a male wolf joining the Green River pack in Wyoming has had to be killed because of depredations on livestock in the area.
The pack, which roams southwest of Grand Teton National Park, has had a consistent alpha female but a revolving door when it comes to male leadership.
Federal Wildlife Services, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has had to shoot three males that have joined the pack successively — each entering the picture when another is removed.
“As soon as they see a vacancy, another one moves right in,” said Ed Bangs, FWS wolf recovery coordinator.
The latest interloper was a dispersing male from the Teton pack that joined the Green River female and her pups. The pack then began hunting livestock in the area, prompting the call to federal authorities.
Elsewhere in Wyoming, a calf was killed by wolves earlier this month on private property between Cody and Powell. Traps were set up to catch the wolves but were unsuccessful.
A horse was chased by wolves in the area but was unharmed, officials said.