Wolf 'Emergency' May Trigger Idaho Slaughter

As the wolf population in Idaho has topped 700, the governor is considering declaring a "wolf emergency," which would allow law enforcement officials to cull wolf packs in large numbers, reports ABC News. "Until something is done about these wolves, I'm a prisoner in my own home," said one Idaho woman who recently found four wolves on her property. Gov. CL Otter says he approves of the emergency declaration bill, but is still listening to legal advice.

Wolves were re-introduced to the Rockies beginning in 1995, and quickly expanded their numbers, leading to clashes among ranchers, local government, environmentalists, and the federal government. Wolf experts note there have been no attacks on people since the animals were re-introduced into the wild. "Wolves are less dangerous than most wildlife we've lived with for generations," Suzanne Stone of Defenders of Wildlife told lawmakers. “It certainly sends a bad message around the world that Idaho can’t be trusted, and people put more faith in Little Red Riding Hood than science.” (More wolves stories.)