Montana wolf kills authorized after miniature horse deaths

MISSOULA — State wildlife officials have authorized killing a pack of wolves that killed four miniature horses near St. Regis. Statewide wolf coordinator Carolyn Sime says the depredation was confirmed on March 20 and three of the five wolves in the Superior pack were killed on Tuesday. John and Mary Cheesman have been raising miniature horses for over a decade and told KECI-TV that the ones that were killed were some of the best breeding horses they had. Sime says the decision to kill the wolves was made based on the fact that the wolves have been spending more time at lower elevations, closer to people and livestock. Past depredations by the Superior pack include cattle, a colt and several domestic dogs. A domestic mink farm has also reported wolf activity and FWP has received reports of wolves chewing on irrigation hoses.