Groups Object To Wolf-Kill Rule Changes

Temporary rule change in Oregon's wolf plan has environmental groups like Oregon Wild concerned.

Environmental groups are objecting to proposed rule changes about Oregon's wolves. As Rob Manning reports, advocates are concerned that a temporary rule came out just a day before Wednesday's deadline to comment on a new wolf plan.

The temporary rule changes when a wolf can be killed for its pursuit of livestock.

Under the new rule, a problem wolf wouldn't have to continually appear on the same or adjacent properties, but just "in the area."

And, the rule's new language suggests that a wolf only needs to be involved in two livestock incidents – one of them fatal – rather than four.

Sean Stevens with Oregon Wild says those changes make it too easy to kill wolves.

Stevens: "We have to remember that we're talking about an endangered species with a population of only 14 confirmed in this state. So lethal control should be our option of absolute last resort."

Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say lethal measures still have to wait until other methods have failed.

The agency says it will still accept comments on the wolf plan after the June 30th deadline. But advocates are worried that late comments won't be part of deliberations.

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