Wolves killed after cattle depredations
by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
September 17, 2008
Following additional depredations on cattle, an adult female wolf was lethally removed from the Murphy Lake pack on September 8 for a total of three wolves removed from this pack over the past two weeks. The control action was near Fortine. There were a total of seven dead calves and three injured calves confirmed killed or injured by wolves over the previous month.
Near Lost Prairie there were four cattle depredation incidents between August 20 and September 5. It is suspected that this is a newly identified wolf pack that likely was in existence since last year. The first order of action after the first two depredation events (confirmed killed adult cattle and confirmed injured calf) was to place a radio collar on an individual within the pack and subsequently lethally remove two wolves from that pack. A wolf was captured on September 7 and radio-collared. The wolf was collared for monitoring or if further management actions are needed. Two wolves were lethally removed on 9/8 and 9/10. During that period there was an additional injured calf.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and USDA Wildlife Services communicated closely during these management actions.
Landowners suspecting depredations from wolves or other predators should protect the livestock carcass with a tarp so investigators can verify the cause of death. Landowners should report all suspected depredations immediately.
To learn more about Montana’s recovered wolf population, visit FWP online at fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/wolf, where visitors can also tell FWP when they see wolves or wolf sign. The information helps to verify the activity, distribution, and pack size of Montana’s wolf population.
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