(File photo: DNR)
Safety concerns surrounding a wolf pack living in Jackson, Monroe, and Juneau Counties has prompted the killing of six Wisconsin wolves. Adrian Wydeven with the state Department of Natural Resources says the animals had become bold and were no longer scared by humans living in the area, prompting worries that an attack on a human could take place.
Federal rules only allow the state to have wolves killed if they are a threat to humans. Wydeven says no residents of the area were attacked, but there had been several instances of dogs being attacked and killed. The wolves had also approached human dwellings without showing a “normal fear of people.”
The wolves were killed in late September and early October by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wydeven says the decision was not made lightly, and came only after spending most of the summer and early fall trying non-lethal methods to change their behavior.
Wydeven estimates there are up to three wolves from the pack still living in the area. There are no plans at this time to kill or remove them.