Montana Wolf Shot

Fri., Aug. 14, 1998

Two adult wolves from the Ninemile Valley pack, including the dominant male, were killed by federal trappers on Monday in hopes of breaking the pack’s habit of preying on livestock.

Ed Bangs, wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Montana, said if the remainder of the pack quits killing livestock, it will be left alone. The pack is now believed to consist of three adults and five pups.

The shootings came after a 600-pound cow was killed in July. Four calves were killed by wolves in the Ninemile Valley this spring.

Bangs said federal officials hope the death of the dominant male will stem the trend.

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