Group Gives Grant to Manage Idaho Wolves

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A leading wildlife group has agreed to give Idaho $50,000 to assist with the state's wolf management plan. The grant from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will expand the radio collar program to help biologists get a better understanding of the size and territory of a wolf pack.

The Idaho Statesman reports the radio collars are also useful for charting home range, biological traits and other behavior that can help shape more effective management policy. Foundation President David Allen says to properly carry out science-based management it's critical for states to better recognize and understand predator-prey relationships and wolf populations.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game administrator Brad Compton says the grant comes at a time when federal funding is shrinking.