CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers are set to consider changing the state's wolf management law to accommodate an agreement that Gov. Matt Mead and U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar reached last year on ending federal protections for the animals in the state.

Steve Ferrell, wildlife policy adviser to the governor, briefed members of the Legislature's Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee on the agreement Tuesday in Cheyenne.

Under the agreement, Wyoming would maintain 15 breeding pairs and at least 150 animals in the state. Wolves would be protected in a flexible zone around Yellowstone but classified as unprotected predators in the rest of the state.

Sen. Bruce Burns, a Republican from Sheridan, is committee co-chairman. He says he expects the Legislature will ratify the agreement this session.

 

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