IDFG Conservation Officers Dispatch Injured Wolf

ASHTON - Responding to reports by mountain lion hunters about signs of wolf activity in the Big Bend Ridge area northwest of Ashton, IDFG Conservation Officers tracked and dispatched an injured uncollared young adult female wolf. Using snow machines on Thursday, February 24, Senior Conservation Officers Bruce Penske, Charlie Anderson, and Shane Liss began searching on Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) for wolf tracks. After finding a lone set of wolf tracks, officers proceeded on snowshoes to track the wolf for about two miles, observing that the animal was dragging its hind quarters. Officers eventually caught up with the animal in a steep canyon and were able to observe the animal and determined that it was severely injured. Using cell phones, officers conferred with IDFG and United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USWFS) officials to receive the proper authorization to put the animal down. The officers were able to get close enough to the animal to use their Department side-arms to dispatch it. Upon closer investigation, the animal not only appeared to have a broken spine, but was missing an eye and had injured paws from dragging itself. The exact origin of the injuries is still under investigation, pending a necropsy.