Gray wolves, exterminated from the West nearly 100 years ago, were reintroduced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1995 and have prospered. The first pack was set free in the northern portion of Yellowstone National Park and soon migrated into Wyoming and Montana, multiplying exhuberantly. Now there are about 1,500 wolves in the Rocky Mountain West.

Their success in adapting to what was once their natural habitat was possible, despite irrational fear and hatred directed toward them from humans, because they have been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1973. Until now.

On the day the endangered designation was lifted March 28, three wolves were shot in Wyoming, which since the wolves' delisting, has allowed unrestricted shooting of the animals. Another seven, at least, have been killed since delisting day.

The first wolves to be killed had not attacked or even threatened any livestock. They were ambushed near an elk feeding ground, a natural attraction for wolves. Shooters who would sit at a spot where elk feed and wait for wolves are not hunters and certainly, in this case, were not motivated by stopping any wolf predation.

They were shooting the wolves for fun. In Wyoming, the animals can be killed for any reason, or for no reason.

Wyoming has adopted 24/7 open season on wolves for a variety of reasons, none of them logical. Hunters say wolves will deplete elk herds, but that is not borne out by evidence. In fact, wolves feed on weak and old elk, which serves to improve the herd, while humans eliminate the biggest, strongest animals.

There is absolutely no evidence that wolves are a danger to humans. A more reasonable management plan would allow wolves to be shot if they prey on sheep or cattle and would compensate ranchers. But senseless wolf killing is not justified. They are a vital part of a healthy ecosystem and should be allowed to thrive.

In Utah, with the exception of an area east of I-84 and I-15 and north of I-80, wolves remain under Endangered Species Act protection. In that area, the state allows wolves to be shot for attacking or threatening livestock.

"Management plans" should be just that - plans that protect wolves and their habitat while also allowing ranchers to protect their livestock and receive restitution for proven wolf predation. Killing wolves for sport should be illegal, and carry significant penalties.