Wolf manager changes stance on cattle operation
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) – A federal wolf manager has acknowledged making
incorrect statements about a cattle operation in the Gros Ventre drainage,
where wolves threaten young calves. Ed Bangs, wolf-recovery coordinator
for the lower 48 states, apologized to Nebraska rancher Michael Stanko.
Bangs said in June that since a number of young calves are grazing in a
known wolf area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service won’t automatically
kill wolves for preying on them.
Bangs said he had been told that Stanko’s calves were several weeks old,
when in fact they were several months old. Smaller calves are usually more
susceptible to predation.
He also said he was wrong about where the Stankos had bought their cattle.
He wrongly said they had not been on open range. Cattle that have not been
on open range are also more vulnerable.
“I offer my sincere apology for speaking on some details that I assumed
were accurate when they were not,” Bangs wrote in a July 19 letter.
Rancher Rudy Bangs, Michael’s father, said he appreciated the letter, but
still had reservations.
“The wolves are still there, and they are still predators,” he said from
Nebraska. “Obviously, things aren’t going to be hunky dory as long as
there are wolves where there is livestock.”
If wolves are confirmed to have killed livestock, Fish and Wildlife will
issue a 45-day shoot-on-sight permit for wolves attacking cattle, Bangs
said.