http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?o1890_BC_CAN--WolfPack&&news&newsflash-oregon
Wolves preying on cattle in Canada north of Idaho
The Associated Press
2/22/01 8:16 AM
YAHK, British Columbia (AP) -- Hungry wolves are preying heavily on cattle
and big game in the area, and some ranchers are demanding help from the
provincial government.
The wolf pack, estimated at 15 to 25 animals and growing, killed upward of
25 head of cattle last year in an 80-square-mile area outside this hamlet,
which is a few miles northeast of Eastport, Idaho, rancher Scott Heuston said.
Heuston said the depredation cost him about $9,200 during the last grazing
season.
"I don't care who you are, take that from your pay check and see how much
squealing you do," he said.
He said he and other members of the Yahk Ranchers Association would voice
their concerns when they meet with provincial representatives next week in
Creston.
Grant Griffen, range manager for the provincial forest ministry in
Cranbrook, also said the wolves are causing problems.
"That's a hell of a lot of wolves," Griffen said, "and they eat a lot of
meat."
He said conservation officers also have noticed a marked decline in elk,
moose, deer and other big-game game stocks.
"The area used to be one of best big game hunting ranges in the interior,"
Griffen said.