Feds probe killings
By BUZZY HASSRICK
The deaths of four wolves from two packs in Park County are under federal
investigation.
“Several circumstances appear to be suspicious,” Tim Eicher, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service special agent, said Wednesday.
One wolf came from the Greybull Pack southwest of Meeteetse, and was the
alpha male that had traveled from Idaho two years ago to start the new
pack, Eicher said. The other three came from the Sunlight Basin Pack,
northwest of Cody, and included its alpha male.
The animals all were found this fall, he said, declining to elaborate
during the ongoing investigation. The carcasses have been sent to the
National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Ore.
Ed Bangs of Helena, F&WS wolf recovery coordinator, said hunters would not
have shot the wolves.
“They’re criminals, not hunters,” he said. “Some jerk with a gun did
this.”
The loss of males this time of year will not affect the packs that much,
Bangs added, because breeding occurs in February and other males are
available.
“It’s a dynamic population,” he said.
The head wolves lead the packs for determining territory and finding prey.
“The price of being an alpha is a short life,” Bangs said.