Wolf attack confirmed on sheep ranch, suspected on another
Posted at 4:41 p.m. December 11
By the Associated Press

LIVINGSTON (AP) - Federal wildlife authorities confirmed that wolves attacked seven sheep on a Paradise Valley ranch, and the predators are suspected in the deaths of nine other sheep on an adjoining ranch the next night.

Seven of Bob Weber's sheep fell prey to wolf attacks sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday, Ed Bangs, a wolf recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Wednesday.

Thursday morning, Weber's brother, Hubert, 71, woke up to find nine dead sheep on his adjoining ranch. Authorities have still to confirm those deaths were by wolves.

Bangs said if a wolf attack is confirmed on Hubert Weber's ranch, the brothers will be issued permits to kill any wolves that come on their property.

Federal law requires two separate, confirmed wolf attacks on a property before the owner can be issued a kill-on-sight permit. Since these two attacks happened on adjoining property, however, Bangs said the brothers would be eligible for the permits.

Bob Weber said he found five dead sheep Wednesday morning. Two others were "tore up so bad" he had to shoot them, he said.

He said most of the sheep were attacked within 100 yards of his house, which is 12 miles south of Livingston.

"That's next year's income," he said. "It's tough and it's going to get worse before it gets better."

The brothers have lived in the Paradise Valley for more than 50 years without a wolf attack, although coyote attacks are common.

Bangs said the brothers will be compensated by Defenders of Wildlife, a conservation organization that pays ranchers fair market value for livestock that wolves kill.

Bob Weber said his losses come to $2,400, counting spring lamb losses, while Hubert Weber said his losses total $1,800.