Snowfall stalls wolf trapping
Associated Press
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – Heavy snowfall has prompted wildlife officials to
abandon efforts, for now, to trap and kill up to four wolves that have
been menacing livestock in Grand Teton National Park.
The pack, which dens near a livestock grazing allotment, has been linked
to four attacks on cattle in the park and on nearby private land.
“We’re kind of on hold,” said Mike Jiminez, coordinator of wolf recovery
in Wyoming for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Federal agents set traps for the wolves after six to eight animals from
the 23-member Teton Pack killed a cow two weeks ago on the Pinto Ranch, a
private ranch partially inside park boundaries.
The trapping effort was unsuccessful.
It was the fourth incident this fall for the pack, which also attacked
three cattle on a grazing allotment inside the park, Jiminez said.
The wolves killed a calf and injured a yearling and a calf in three
separate attacks.
“This is the first time on private land,” Jiminez said of the latest
incident. “We’re trying to avoid it from becoming a chronic problem, and
these wolves are dispersing and spreading that problem.”
Ranch manager Alan Rosenbaum said understanding the situation may be
difficult for people who do not see the aftermath of the attacks
firsthand.
“It was difficult to see an animal that I’ve taken care of and raised from
a baby lying there dead on private property,” he said.
The Teton Pack has had double litters for the past two years and comprises
three adults, nine yearlings and 11 pups, Jiminez said.
“It’s a precarious situation when wolves grow up next to livestock,” he
said.
While some wolves leave cattle alone, others develop a habit of feeding on
livestock, he said.