Released Wolves Doing Well In Idaho

When Canadian wolves were first transplanted into central Idaho 17 months ago, wolf advocates and opponents alike criticized the decision to dump the predators into a sprawling, unfamiliar wilderness.

Letting the wolves gradually acclimate, as those released into Yellowstone National Park did, seemed like a more humane method.

But 32 of the 35 wolves released in Idaho since January 1995 are thriving.

“Nobody imagined this level of success,” said Ted Koch, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist.

“Only two years and we’ve got potentially seven packs. At this rate we’re going to be well ahead of schedule and under budget. The weak link in the chain appears to be Yellowstone. Who would have guessed that?”

Koch was in charge of the initial reintroduction of wolves in Idaho. The Nez Perce Tribe, based in Lapwai, now manages the wolves.

The goal in Idaho was to have 10 packs by 2002 after three releases. The Fish and Wildlife Service said last January, however, that reintroduction was going so well it would not release a third group of wolves.

Two of the 15 wolves released in 1995 have died, and another has vanished.