While the debate about how many wolves are enough to ensure a healthy population will again come to a head in a federal courtroom Monday, a Dillon-area ranch is picking up the pieces from the largest known wolf depredation in recent history. In a highly unusual move for wolves, they killed about 120 adult male sheep in one incident on the Rebish/Konen Livestock Ranch south of Dillon last week. That compares with a total of 111 sheep killed by wolves in Montana in 2008, according to Carolyn Sime, the statewide wolf coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. "This is one of the most significant losses that I've seen," Sime said. "That situation is really unfortunate"/Helena Independent Record. More here.

Question: Do you think this wholesale slaughter of sheep by wolves in Montana will affect the judge's decision Monday in the request by enviros to stop the wolf hunt?