Elks vs. Wolves in Idaho: Wildlife Agents Take to the Air to Protect the Elk
OutdoorHub Reporters 02.23.12
Federal wildlife agents have announced the taking of 14 wolves from helicopters in northern Idaho as part of a three-day operation to reduce the wolf population and thus preserve the state’s elk.
Another six wolves were taken via helicopter earlier in the year.
According to wildlife managers, a sustained reduction in wolf numbers will help the Lolo elk herd, which occupies the land the wolves were taken in, rebound from its poor numbers. The Lolo elk herd has seen declines nearly every year since the 1990’s.
Recent studies on the Lolo area have cited wolves as the number one cause of death in female elk and their calves.
Sportsmen did their part to protect the elk as well. Idaho hunters killed 22 wolves in the Lolo area this year.
That brings the total wolf populations of the Lolo region to between 33 and 58.
With an estimated elk population of 2,000 that goes a long way towards tipping the odds in the elk’s favor.
The Idaho Department of fish and game has set a goal of reducing the number of wolves. They have not publicly stated a target number or population limit.
