Llama-killing wolves targeted
By SHERRY DEVLIN
Of The Missoulian
Federal wildlife officials continued to watch for wolves in a Ninemile
Valley pasture Thursday, intent on killing two of the animals in
retaliation for a llama killing earlier this week.
Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, said wolves were definitely responsible for the 6-year-old
llama’s death early Wednesday. Two wolves returned to the pasture on
Thursday morning, but a federal trapper couldn’t get a clean shot.
“If he catches any more wolves in or around the pasture, he’s on orders to
shoot them on sight,” Bangs said. “That’s kind of where we’re at.”
The government also, however, intends to work with llama owner Geri Ball
to help her better protect the animals she keeps for show and as pets.
“There are a lot of things we can try,” Bangs said, ” and we need to try
them to stop this cycle of depredation.”
“It’s a two-part deal,” he said. “we will lethally remove some wolves, and
we’ll think of ways to better protect the livestock.”