VLADIVOSTOK, May 29 (Xinhua) — About 430 wolves have been killed in the Republic of Sakha-Yakutia in east Siberia since the start of hunting season, Interfax-Far East reported Thursday, citing the republic’s Wildlife Department.
Authorities approved the shooting of gray wolves as a measure to protect humans and domestic animals in the region from the species’ current high population.
Wolf-hunting season opened Jan. 15. In the previous season, 700 wolves were killed and this season’s quota is 500.
The overall population of wolves in Sakha-Yakutia, part of the Russian Federation, reached 3,500 in 2012 but has fallen by an estimated 1,500 wolves since. Wildlife Department data collected in February 2014 showed there were more than 2,300 wolves in Sakha-Yakutia.
For the every kill, the hunters receive 20,000 rubles (more than 550 U.S. dollars) from the republic’s budget and additional payments from the regional budgets.