Nearly 30% of the national park’s wolves have been killed since the start of the 2021-2022 hunting season.byAmanda Eggert01.28.2022

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to close wolf trapping and hunting in southwestern Montana if or when six more wolves are killed by hunters or trappers in the region.

Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that20 wolves that roamed out of Yellowstone National Park have beenkilled this season, the most in any single hunting season since wolf reintroduction in 1995. Park employees have since deemed one pack, the Phantom Lake Pack, “eliminated,” according to the story, which re-ignited wildlife advocates’ frustration about the state’s approach to wolf management and inspired acoalition of western environmental organizations to petition Interior Secretary Deb Haalandto issue emergency federal protections for…