New NW Montana pack kills two llamas. Their owner doesn't blame the wolves
3-6-2001
In the last month a new pack of 3 wolves near Libby, Montana has killed 2 llamas near McGinnis Meadows. This is the first case of wolves killing llamas.
Bill Moran, owner of the llamas said "'I can’t blame the wolves.' They were out in the woods, and the llamas were there too. So I have only myself to blame.'” In mid January his first llama was killed and in late February the second was killed. According to the Western News (Libby), "Usually Moran’s llamas are in the yard at night but on these nights they weren’t. He let them roam free for his pleasure and the neighbors liked being able to feed them bananas and other treats."
The News story said "Although Moran might be reimbursed by Defenders of Wildlife for the market value of the livestock, he said he won’t seek it. 'It’s not (Defenders’) fault, it’s my fault,' said Moran, who said he saw an animal that morning that was either a wolf or a big coyote. 'I choose to live here, and while I live here the natural world ought to be able to run its course.' "
Moran has a third llama, but he gave it away so that it would not come to harm.
In contrast to Moran's views, the News quoted a local rancher with livestock at McGinnis Meadows. The wolves have not bothered his livestock, but he responded with the vitrol we have come to associate with many ranchers. " 'Actually there’s no good time or place for the species,' said the McGinnis Meadows rancher who runs about 60 head of cattle. ' Our grandfathers years ago got rid of those wolves for a reason,' he said. 'They’re just a killing machine. That’s all they are.' He said he was rankled that the endangered designation for wolves legally bars people from harming them while they kill livestock. 'Give me an answer, what do we got to do to get them wolves out of there?'
The Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to capture a wolf or two and radio collar them. They will not be killed for killing the llamas.
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