Plaintiffs in the case against the wolf killing plan for the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho have learned that at least 7 wolves have been killed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game hired trapper as of January 2nd. It is possible that more have been killed but communication with the trapper is conducted only when the trapper calls out using a satellite phone which is kept turned off most of the time.
From the court filing:
Plaintiffs learned from counsel for defendant Virgil Moore that, as of January 2, 2014, IDFGs hired hunter-trapper had killed seven wolves within the targeted wolf packs, six by trapping and one by hunting, and that more wolves may have been killed as of today. Defendant Moores counsel further advised that IDFG only means of communication with the hunter-trapper is a satellite telephone in the hunter-trappers possession, and that, to preserve the phone batteries, the hunter-trapper turns on the phone only when he places a call.