Montana newspapers have reported that Chad McKittrick, who admitting killing wolf no. 10, and was convicted of the slaying, has appealed his conviction of killing, possessing, and transporting of wolf 10 that was reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park. McKittrick was convicted in Oct. 1995 of the April 1995 shooting of the wolf. He was sentenced to three months in jail followed by three months in a pre-release center in late February 1996. See my article dated 2/29/96

McKittrick's lawyer has asked a federal judge to throw out the conviction because, while McKittrick admitted he shot the wolf, he contends the government never proved he "knowingly" killed a wolf. McKittrick said he thought it was a big dog that might be dangerous to livestock.

 The record shows, however, the same day McKittrick killed the wolf, he took it back to his place and skinned it.

 I had thought McKittrick had served the time and was probably out by now, but apparently his Oct. 1995 conviction has been stayed by courts all this while.

 Wolf no. 10 was the sire of eight pups born to no. 9 at about the time no. 10 was shot. No. 9 and the pups were taken back to Yellowstone and raised in the Rose Creek pen during the summer of 1995. Released that October, they quickly joined with male no. 8 from the Crystal Creek Pack to form the Park's largest and most visible wolf pack.

 The story has become legendary. I have even read it in a children's book.

 That's why this wolf report exists -- to try and make sure little details like this don't slip through the cracks of the media.