BY TANDA GMITER
One of Yellowstone National Park’s well-known white wolves was found severely injured this week and had to be killed, park rangers said.
The female wolf was part of the park’s Canyon Pack. She was one of three white wolves known to live within the park. Her coat color made her easy to spot, and hikers and tourists were often able to catch a glimpse of her or get a photo.
Hikers this week found the injured wolf inside the park, near Gardiner, Mont.
Park staff said they found the animal to be in shock and dying from her injuries.
“Staff on scene agreed the animal could not be saved due to the severity of its injuries. The decision was made to kill the animal and investigate the cause of the initial trauma,” P.J. White, chief of the Wildlife and Aquatic Resources Branch, said in a statement released today by the park.
What caused the wolf’s injuries is not known. A necropsy is being done as part of the investigation.
“This wolf lived to 12 years, twice the age of an average wolf in the park, and had a broad range that extended from Hayden Valley to the Firehole River area to the northern portion of the park.
“For these reasons, the wolf was one of the most recognizable and sought after by visitors to view and photograph,” the park said.
Wolves were re-introduced into Yellowstone about 20 years ago. From 1995 to 1997, 41 wild wolves from Canada and northwest Montana were released into the park.
Wolves cannot be hunted in Yellowstone.
However, regulated hunting is allowed outside the park in Montana and Idaho.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Yellowstone National Park Tip Line at 307-344-2132. For more information, visit the park’s tip line website.