Killing of 19 Elk in Wyoming by Wolves sparks Debate over Wolf Protection

A herd of wolves slaughtered about 19 elk at a western Wyoming feeding ground in just one night, said state wildlife officials in an announcement. It is not unusual for the animal to kill one or two elk, but killing in huge numbers is something that no one had ever noticed in the region, they added.

Another surprising thing is that the wolf-pack didn’t even eat the killed animals. Now, the officials want the state to take decision on how to manage wolves. Until now, the federal government manages the animal.

Officials at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department cannot do much to prevent such incidents as federal government doesn’t allow state to control wolves, said John Lund, Game and Fish Regional Director, in a statement. In addition, the animal has federal protections, Lund added.

“With the management authority, that would allow us to address isolated issues like this or in other areas where wolves are having an impact on elk herds”, he continued.

A number of environmental groups that urged in 2014 for restore endangered species protection for Wyoming’s wolves believe that if the state Game and Fish Department had authorities to manage wolves, the animal would be at risk. They also said that the state may even announce to shoot wolves on sight in a number of states in the country.

As per state wildlife officials, the wolf-pack killed elk on Tuesday night or early Wednesday. The killing happened at McNeel feedground near Bondurant, they added. Out of 19 killed elk, 17 were calves born in 2015.

The state Game and Fish Department reported that wolves have slaughtered more than 70 elk at the McNeel feedground this winter. Brian Nesvik, the agency division chief, has written a letter to top federal wolf management official last month to take necessary actions.