05/15/08

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) _ The Wyoming Game and Fish Department
reports a wolf has been illegally shot in northwest Wyoming.

It is the first known illegal killing of a wolf in the state
since the animals were removed from federal protection under the
Endangered Species Act and their management was taken over by
Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.

Sixteen other wolves have been killed legally in Wyoming since
late March.

Environmental groups have been critical of the decision to
remove the wolf from federal protection, saying it would lead to
too many wolf deaths.

Wyoming Chief Game Warden Jay Lawson says the state agency takes
its wolf management responsibility seriously and is offering a
$3,000 reward for information about the illegal killing.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APNP-05-15-08 1156MDT<