Many Coloradoans enthusiastically await the arrival of wolves to their state so they can begin to deal with the elk overpopulation and hopefully the massive outbreak of deadly chronic wasting disease in the state's elk and deer.

Wolves have crossed the threshold -- getting across Interstate 80, and one wolf and now probably more are near Baggs, Wyoming which is just north of the Colorado line.

However, many were surprised to learn that Wildlife Services has been authorized to kill up to 2 wolves near Baggs because of minor livestock depredations.

Far down in the latest "Gray Wolf Progress Report" by the USFWS it was briefly noted: "On the 2nd [of January], WS confirmed that wolves killed 3-4 calves on private land about 20 miles north of Baggs, WY [just north of the CO border].  The area is a checkerboard of BLM leases, where numerous cow/calf pairs will be wintered, starting this month.  It appears 1 maybe 2 wolves were involved.  WS was authorized to remove up to 2 wolves." [emphasis mine]

1-9-04. The report above was based on an investigation by Wildlife Services. It seems wolves may have killed a couple of yearling heifers near Wamsutter in the Red Desert about Christmas Day. Other cattle were attacked. They had their tails bitten. No wolves or tracks were seen. Injuries "consistent with wolf attacks were discovered after the carcasses were examined." Wamsutter is north of Baggs.

I have received a number of emails from folks who are excited that wolves continue to near Colorado.

3-14-04. Now it turns out the attacks might have been dogs, not wolves. In a little noticed article is has been reported that a local trapper thinks the "wolf attacks" on the cows near Wamsutter, Wyoming (southern Wyoming) last December were not from the wolves that are probably in the area, but dogs, and not just any dogs."  Many clues point to sheep guard dogs on a nearby sheep farm as the killers.

USDA is still holding to the politically correct position that it was the dastardly wolves.

Regarding sheep guard dogs, while they are usually benign, they occasionally go "bad," and have even joined with wolves to hunt sheep or cattle on occasion. Moreover, they present some risk to human recreationists in an area. One ought to be very careful approaching a sheep camp with guard dogs.

Regarding the true danger to humans of wolves and dogs, see the story "Risk and Reality in Wolf Country."

Copyright ©2004 Ralph Maughan

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Ralph Maughan PO Box 8264, Pocatello, ID 83209