Rather than celebrating the rare occurrence of a wolf in Utah and educating the public about the ecological benefits the return of this iconic carnivore could provide, the state is doing their best to trap and kill them.
It’s a disappointing yet unsurprising move considering that, in 2010, the Utah Legislature directed the Division of Wildlife Resources to prevent any wolves from establishing within the portion of the state where they are not federally protected (a small area in northern Utah, north of I-80 and east of I-84).
Based on the most recent data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, factors such as diseases, birthing problems and weather conditions kill seven times as many cattle in Utah than all predators combined.
In Idaho, where the wolf population is estimated at 1,000, the USDA confirmed 162 cows and 109 sheep were killed or injured by wolves in fiscal year 2019 out of 2.63 million cows and sheep. In other words, even in states with growing wolf populations, livestock losses due to wolves are incredibly rare.
The best available science shows that killing carnivores like wolves is not the best way to reduce the impact of wolves. Rather, nonlethal deterrents and changes in husbandry methods are much more effective and humane. Shame on the DWR for its continued war on our carnivores.
Sundays Hunt, Holladay
Utah State Director, The Humane Society of the United States