SAVERY, Wyo. (AP) - The state of Wyoming has denied most of a damage claim submitted by ranchers who say black bears killed an estimated 145 lambs and ewes last spring.
Ladder Livestock Co. in south-central Wyoming sought almost $29,000 in restitution. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission recently awarded the ranch $1,355.80 for the deaths of two ewes and six lambs, the Billings Gazette reported Sunday.
Wyoming compensates people for livestock losses caused by trophy game animals including black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions and wolves.
Investigators determined one or more bears killed the two ewes and estimated six lambs but couldn’t verify that bears killed the dozens of other lambs and ewes lost.
Predators are “out of control” in the Savery area west of Medicine Bow National Forest and more needs to be done, ranch owner Pat O’Toole told the commission.
Finding out what happened when lambs go missing on the range can be very difficult, Game and Fish Commissioner Gay Lynn Byrd said.
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