Idaho Wolves Shot

An Idaho Department of Fish and Game official says aerial gunners have killed at least five wolves in north-central Idaho since Wednesday in an effort to protect elk herds but that the hunting has been halted due to a lack of success.

Deputy Director Jim Unsworth tells the Lewiston Tribune that agents with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services suspended the hunt indefinitely Friday because it was inefficient and expensive.

Unsworth says some wolf packs are being found by radio collars worn by individuals but the wolves are in thick timber making them difficult to shoot from the air.

State officials want to kill up to 60 wolves in the region in the wake of the Obama Administration removing the predators from Endangered Species Act protections last month.

Story from The Associated Press