Enzi asks for inquiry into alleged trespassing
Associated Press
Sen. Mike Enzi on Monday asked the federal government to investigate allegations that one of its wolf biologists trespassed and planted four wolves on private land near Meeteetse.
Enzi, R-Wyo., sent a letter to Interior Secretary Gale Norton asking for an inquiry by the Interior and Justice departments, citing the “liability and threat posed to local communities from actions taken by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”
Park County commissioners requested the congressional probe last week.
Because wolves can be dangerous, “any agency action on this matter should be treated with a strict liability standard,” Enzi said.
“The potential for harm that could occur to private landowners and their livestock is significant enough that any relocation effort should, at a minimum, always consider the proximity and location of the point of release,” he said.
Meeteetse rancher Randy Kruger alleges wolf biologist Mike Jimenez and a companion trespassed on his property Feb. 14 to tranquilize and collar four wolves, which were later revived and left the area.
Kruger said the wolves were situated near his calving pasture and posed a risk to his herd.
The incident has raised suspicion among some residents and county officials, and resulted in a trespassing complaint from Kruger.
The state Department of Criminal Investigation is also looking into the allegations.
Jimenez has said he had no time to consult maps, and didn’t know he was on private property when he moved the drugged wolves from rocky, rough terrain to a flat spot nearby.
He also said his helicopter was running low on fuel, and that Kruger never told him he was trespassing when the rancher stopped by.