Wolves Return to Utah

Wolves are making headlines in Utah, after a pack was spotted in the NE part of the state, near Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

It's the first time in almost 100 years that a pack has been seen here. They are apparently descendents of the Yellowstone wolves, out wandering around as they expand their territory.

The pack apparently left the state without setting up a den. But they, or their relatives, will undoubtedly come back

Many people consider this great news, showing the once endangered animals are doing well in the Mountain West. Others fear the wolves will bring trouble - harming livestock and endangering humans.

There has been considerable controversy about wolves expanding their territory in Wyoming and Idaho. The animals are protected within Yellowstone Park, but numbers outside the park have grown to the point that those states are considering allowing limited wolf hunting.

KUTV has this report about the Utah sighting. Below are excerpts.

Experts haven't found the wolves, but they did find tracks and received a response to a digital howl recording.

"Our biologists are pretty certain they are wolves,'' Mark Hadley, a spokesman for the Division of Wildlife Resources, said Thursday.

The last known wolf pack roamed Utah in the late 1920s or '30s. The animals were killed to protect ranchers' livestock. Many sportsmen and ranchers still fear a wolf comeback would threaten livestock and large game.