- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 70,011
- Reaction score
- 1,007
Rancher accuses federal wolf agent of trespassing
By the Associated Press with staff reports
February 28, 2004
CODY -- A western Wyoming ranch is accusing the federal government of trespassing earlier this month to collar four wolves.
Larsen Ranch Co. owners are considering asking Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric to file criminal trespass charges against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the alleged violation.
"It's aggravating and upsetting," said Randy Kruger, a ranch stockholder and employee. "It's causing me loss of sleep. It's a matter of terrorism."
He made his comments to the Cody Enterprise.
Wolf biologist Mike Jimenez did not have permission to be on the ranch when he was discovered Feb. 14 with four tranquilized wolves, Kruger said.
Jimenez did not immediately return a phone call Friday seeking comment. Agency representatives, however, have called rancher Ralph Larsen to apologize, Kruger said.
According to Kruger, he saw Jimenez and Cody resident Wes Livingston with the wolves while driving across a pasture.
"They acted guilty, in my view," he said. "They said they were trying to get the wolves collared. They were on our deeded land and in our calving pasture."
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Fleming said in an interview from Washington that the agency could not comment about the Jimenez incident at this time because of the legal ramifications.
"We're aware of the issue and are looking at all the details," Fleming said. "Our folks are looking at it."
It remains unclear whether the wolves were found on the land or if they were transported there.
The men told Kruger they had trapped and collared the wolves "in the area." The animals were beginning to stir when Kruger drove off.
"They were nice, well-fed looking wolves, right in their prime," he said.
Kruger presented the information Wednesday to Commissioner Tim Morrison, who planned to turn the case over to Skoric.
"We're pushing them to file charges," said Joe Tilden of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. "Where does the federal government have the right to land on private property?"
AP-WS-02-27-04 1625EST
By the Associated Press with staff reports
February 28, 2004
CODY -- A western Wyoming ranch is accusing the federal government of trespassing earlier this month to collar four wolves.
Larsen Ranch Co. owners are considering asking Park County Attorney Bryan Skoric to file criminal trespass charges against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the alleged violation.
"It's aggravating and upsetting," said Randy Kruger, a ranch stockholder and employee. "It's causing me loss of sleep. It's a matter of terrorism."
He made his comments to the Cody Enterprise.
Wolf biologist Mike Jimenez did not have permission to be on the ranch when he was discovered Feb. 14 with four tranquilized wolves, Kruger said.
Jimenez did not immediately return a phone call Friday seeking comment. Agency representatives, however, have called rancher Ralph Larsen to apologize, Kruger said.
According to Kruger, he saw Jimenez and Cody resident Wes Livingston with the wolves while driving across a pasture.
"They acted guilty, in my view," he said. "They said they were trying to get the wolves collared. They were on our deeded land and in our calving pasture."
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Fleming said in an interview from Washington that the agency could not comment about the Jimenez incident at this time because of the legal ramifications.
"We're aware of the issue and are looking at all the details," Fleming said. "Our folks are looking at it."
It remains unclear whether the wolves were found on the land or if they were transported there.
The men told Kruger they had trapped and collared the wolves "in the area." The animals were beginning to stir when Kruger drove off.
"They were nice, well-fed looking wolves, right in their prime," he said.
Kruger presented the information Wednesday to Commissioner Tim Morrison, who planned to turn the case over to Skoric.
"We're pushing them to file charges," said Joe Tilden of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. "Where does the federal government have the right to land on private property?"
AP-WS-02-27-04 1625EST
