Re: [PyrNet-L] Re: introduction of Wolves into Yellowstone

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

This was posted to Pyr-L on 2/2/00 by Linda Weisser. This is an
excerpt of an article written on the Chief Joseph Pack in
Yellowstone.  Forwarded with permission:

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) - The next time wolves in Yellowstone
National Park's
Chief Joseph pack kill a domestic dog in the Paradise Valley
south of
Livingston, Mont., they will be rounded up and moved to northwest
Montana,
a
federal official said Tuesday.

Members of the pack recently killed a guard dog picked for its
size and
ability to resist predators, the fourth time the same pack has
attacked
domestic dogs.

The Great Pyrenees dog, killed about 10 days ago, had been
donated by wolf
advocates to ranchers in the Tom Miner Basin area who run a small
band of
sheep.

The same ranching family lost another guard dog and some sheep in
earlier
wolf attacks, but no sheep were killed in the most recent one.

Hank Fischer, a spokesman for the Defenders of Wildlife, said
Defenders plans to begin a program in Idaho next summer, which
will
experiment with using different numbers of dogs to accompany
separate bands
of sheep.

Fischer said his group, which also pays ranchers when they can
prove they
have lost livestock to wolves, has provided ranchers with a
number of guard
dogs Attacking domestic dogs is "pretty classic stuff this time
of year,''
Bangs
said.

The peak of the breeding season arrives around Valentine's Day
and wolves
now are aggressively scent marking the edges of their territory,
"making
sure everybody knows this is their place'' and fending off any
animals they
see as intruders.

Ed Bangs, wolf recovery team leader for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service,
said this dog was badly crushed over most of its body. Wolves see
a
fight with another canine, especially a large one, as a battle to
the
death.
"They're giving it all they've got until they win,'' Bangs said.

The wolves know the dogs are in the area and may "make it a point
to go
there and try to intimidate them,'' Bangs said.

Wolves often use their powerful jaws to crush the chest of dogs
or other
wolves, breaking ribs and driving the bones into the heart.

"It's an open question on whether dogs are attracting wolves,''
Fisher
said.

The experiment is designed to help answer that question.

"Our main focus right now is figuring out ways to make wolves and
livestock
more compatible,'' he said. (end forwarded message)
==========================================

Barb Bowes
Bo, Molly, Chelsea (Pyrs) & Flopsy (Pyr Shep)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com