Federal Officials Investigate Wolf Deaths

Yellowstone National Park, WY – Federal officials are investigating the deaths of three wolves in the Yellowstone region, including one wolf that was apparently shot. Two of the wolves were the alpha males of the Grebull River and Sunlight Basin packs. The wolves were found at different times this fall and in different places, so there is no direct evidence the deaths are linked. U-S Fish and Wildlife Service Agent Dominic Domenici won't say much about the investigation, but adds it appears the wolves had been dead for some time before they were found. It's been two years since a wolf was found dead of unnatural causes in the area. Domenici says the discovery of three wolves in one month is cause for some concern, but he's not ruling out the possibility that at least two of the death were natural. The wolf carcasses are being analyzed at a forensics lab in Oregon.