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NEWS > U.S.A. > GREY WOLVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO RULING MONTANA
GREY WOLVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO RULING MONTANA
August 11 2010
Helena, MO – Despite massive industrialization and nearly out of control urbanization, much of the United States is still very much unpopulated. This is especially true in the middle of the country which has long been a no-man’s land. Not possessed of the 
natural resources of southern states or access to waterways like states in the east and west, the mid-west portion of the country has remained largely devoid of human growth and subject to the whims and will of the animals that have lived there for centuries.
There is no better example of that than Montana. With the fourth largest area in the country the population of the state is ranked almost at the bottom, a little bit bigger than Detroit. That lack of humans throughout the territory has allowed it to remain mostly wild with animals of all sorts still dominant in their natural territory and range. Human influence has certainly had an impact as evidenced by the relative lack of Buffalo in a state that was once a sea of brown. However, large animals have managed to hold onto territory in the state unlike in many others and now it appears they are getting hungry for more. According to officials for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Grey Wolves throughout the northern Rockies have made major a major comeback, restoring them to protected status, and leaving many ranchers fearful for their very lives.
“A minimum of 100 cattle and in some years up to 200 sheep are confirmed killed by wolves each year in Montana. That represents a significant financial burden if you're a livestock owner. The ability to manage a wolf population under fair chase hunting is now lost,” said Carolyn Sime of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “That is a huge challenge for ranchers but it also means that these animals will be able to run free and reproduce at will making them a menace to not just cattle but to everyone living out here in the wilds of Montana.”
The population is now approximately 1700 in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and parts of Washington, Oregon, and Utah. Those numbers are expected to increase.
“This is vicious predator. People think of lions as these
monsters that eat everything 
but with no competition and captive prey, wolves can be just as dangerous. It may take more of them to take down a cow say but dead is dead and cows cannot defend themselves. The real danger though is when they start to look for something different to eat,” said Scrape TV American analyst Dave Davidson. “These populations will only grow and as they start to run out of cattle and sheep there will only be one option open to them. Many of these farmers are living out in isolation with limited access to police or other emergency services and that could result a great number of deaths that might not necessarily be recorded until it’s too late.”
State officials believe it unlikely that the wolves will eventually take over major population centres such as Helena or Billings.
“The reality is that state officials will have to keep an eye on things. This isn’t something you can just set and forget. The wolves have sharp claws and big pointy teeth and they can do a lot of damage. Sure there are a lot of guns out there on the farms but eventually they will run out of bullets and you need bullets in order to use a gun effectively,” continued Davidson. “I mean you could club them with the butt end but that will only go so far. You have to get in close and you will get tired so it really isn’t a practical solution in most cases. Oh man, this could be really bad.”
Federal officials are reportedly largely indifferent as to who rules Montana..
Mike Michaels, American Correspondent
NEWS > U.S.A. > GREY WOLVES ONE STEP CLOSER TO RULING MONTANA
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