Washington wolf killing sparks rebukes, controversy

SPOKANE, Wash. – The on-going extermination of a wolf pack in Washington is the latest development in a controversy that pits conservationists against cattle ranchers in a part of the state far from the populous Seattle metro area.

The issue took an unusual twist this week, when Washington State University publicly rebuked a faculty member who had spoken out in support of the wolves.

The hunt has outraged environmental groups, who say wolves are natural predators that should not be killed in favour of cattle grazing at subsidized rates on public land.

Ranchers say the wolves are a menace.