BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has donated $51,000 for government efforts to control the gray wolf population in Montana.

The conservation and hunting group says the money will be paid directly to Wildlife Services. That's a branch of the U.S. Agriculture Department that responds to wolf attacks on livestock.

The elk foundation says the money will pay for efforts to remove problem wolves, radio-collar wolves from packs not currently being monitored and other purposes.

Wolves in the Northern Rockies were removed from the endangered species list last year under an order from Congress.

There are an estimated minimum 1,774 wolves roaming parts of five states in the region.

Wolf hunting is allowed in Idaho and Montana and could begin in Wyoming this fall. Idaho also allows trapping.

More From K2 Radio