At Least 1 Wolf Leaves Its Pen at Yellowstone

At least one of the gray wolves relocated to Yellowstone National Park two months ago finally opted for freedom and walked out of his pen, officials said Friday.

“One wolf, a male, was spotted,” a park spokeswoman said.

Wildlife biologists earlier this week opened the gates to the one-acre enclosure where the wolves have been living since being transported from the Canadian Rockies. But the wolves--possibly unaware the gates were opened--stayed put.

The 14 wolves in the park, plus another 14 others released into the wilds of Idaho, are part of a controversial plan to bring the gray wolf back to the Rocky Mountain region where they have been absent for more than 60 years.

Ranchers, who are challenging the plan in federal court, fear the wolves will kill livestock. The park said it was possible other wolves had also left the pen because sensors placed near exits indicated something had passed through.