Environmentalists Press for Review of Wolf Death

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Two environmental groups are urging state and federal officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a wolf that was trapped and killed in Idaho last month.

Representatives from Friends of the Clearwater and the Center for Biological Diversity requested an investigation this week.

The Lewiston Tribune reports the request focuses on allegations that a wolf trapped last month was tortured before it was killed. The wolf was trapped by Josh Bransford, a Nez Perce National Forest employee.

A photo circulating on the Internet shows Bransford posed in front of a trapped wolf appears wounded. Environmentalists claim the photo shows the wolf was tortured and possibly shot by someone other than Bransford, a potential violation of trapping rules.

Federal officials say the wolf was legally trapped and checked.