BOISE – Three Idaho wolves have been killed by federal hunters in recent weeks, and state officials have authorized the destruction of 10 more, because of recent attacks on livestock that left some 63 sheep dead and five injured.

While disease and other causes result in most livestock deaths in Idaho, state Department of Fish and Game officials say these wolf control actions are needed to curb future attacks.

At least 43 sheep have been killed since August by wolves of the Lick Creek pack, which roam western Idaho near the Snake River. Elsewhere in the state, wolves killed 20 more sheep in the last week.

So far this year, federal and state agents have killed 26 wolves in Idaho, and another nine have been legally killed by ranchers whose livestock were threatened or attacked.

Currently, Idaho has about 650 wolves, up from 35 introduced in the state in 1995 and 1996. The state wants to hold legal hunts for the predators once federal protections are lifted.

More than two-thirds of 32,000 sheep deaths in Idaho last year were due to weather, disease, old age and complications from giving birth, the state agency said.