https://apnews.com/e0aae7c11ae54deeb4b7567e19e50f9a

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Three wolves have been killed by federal authorities in central Idaho near Stanley, an action blasted by an environmental group.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services on Wednesday said it killed the wolves over several days earlier this month at the request of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game after confirming wolves killed six sheep.

The three wolves killed are in addition to the 46 wolves Wildlife Services said it has killed in Idaho this year through June 30, following 61 confirmed wolf kills of livestock. Those livestock kills included nine adult cows, 29 calves and 23 sheep, the federal agency said.

Western Watersheds Project decried the killing of the three wolves this month in the Sawtooth National Forest’s Recreation Area, which it argues only allows livestock grazing if it doesn’t “substantially impair” wildlife conservation.

“Wildlife Services, Idaho Fish and Game, and the…