A 110-pound gray wolf that appeared to have become too familiar with human foods was put down by Yellowstone National Park staff recently.
Since July, the male lobo had approached staff and visitors at close range at least seven times and had been unsuccessfully hazed each time from the Fishing Bridge developed areas, park officials said Wednesday. The wolf was a member of Mollie’s Pack from the Pelican Valley area, and was estimated to be between 2 and 4 years old.
The decision to remove the wolf last Saturday, October 8, came following a history of fearless behavior in the presence of humans, repeated visitation to developed areas within the park, and numerous unsuccessful hazing attempts, a park release said. Each of these factors was indicative of the wolf’s potential habituation to human food, which posed an increased risk to park visitors and staff.
Efforts to relocate food-conditioned animals have generally proven unsuccessful because they simply return to the areas from which they were removed.
Park visitors are reminded that intentionally feeding or allowing animals to obtain human food is a violation of park regulations, which may ultimately lead to the death of the animal involved. Park rangers vigorously enforce these regulations that are designed to protect both people and animals. Visitors are also reminded to be vigilant at all times with proper food storage by keeping food, garbage, coolers and other attractants stored in hard-sided vehicles or food storage boxes.
Park rules require that you to stay at least 100 yards away from wolves at all times. Visitors are also advised to stay on designated trails, hike in groups of three or more people, and to be alert for wildlife and make noise in blind spots. The best defense against attacks is to stay a safe distance from wildlife and use your binoculars, spotting scope or telephoto lens to get a closer look, and never feed, approach, disturb or entice wolves in any way. Bear spray may be an effective last resort should a wolf approach too closely.
Sightings of wolves in close proximity of humans and developed areas may be a dangerous situation developing and should be reported to the nearest visitor center or ranger station as soon as possible.
Comments
For Lee Dalton... Your question has to be the MOST ridiculous question that I have EVER encountered. However, I will answer your question on your behalf and to clarify AGAIN that there were OTHER options.
Those options start with openinig up GOOGLE. Search: Animal Sanctuary/Exotic Animal Rescues, etc.
"Keepers of the Wild", located in Kingman AZ, is ONLY one of many sanctuaries, that would have taken him, so that his life did NOT have to be extinquished.
For Kathy Dimont...Whether the Rangers cry or lose sleep is not of paramount importance here. What is of importance here is that a life was taken. YOU can not speak of the future prediction that the Wolf would have taken a child. That is unknown, and will permenantly remain so now.
Anonymous, above, said it best.... Why not wait until Spring and see how the animal faired.
Signs to keep peoplpe from feeding the animals so they won't become dependent on handouts....and yet our government is handing out Food stamps and government welfare checks by the millions everyday. Here we are people bashing for handing out food to the poor animals and yet our society and economy is falling apart based on these same principles. There seems to be more concern for the animals than people. We need to start posting signs at stores- Thank the tax payer behind you paying for your groceries and providing your welfare check. The opinion seems to be, No one wants to see these animals hurt or killed and yet you think oh look at the pretty wolf, cute bear, moose, mountain lion etc... until some one is killed or taken within an inch of their life by one of these animals. We are invading into their territories. These animals are naturally wild and if you were to follow them each day yes you would see some amazing and wonderful things but at some point you will also see the very nature of their survival as well. Many would not be able to stomach the truth of how they survive in the wild.