Foundation changes name of award over wolf spat

The Associated Press

Published: Thursday, Jul. 19, 2012

HELENA, Mont. -- The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has removed the name of the man known as the "father of modern elk management" from a conservation award after his family objected to what they called the foundation's "all-out war against wolves."

Olaus Murie's son Donald Murie wrote foundation president David Allen demanding the foundation cancel the award it has given out since 1999, or change its wolf policy.

The foundation supported removing federal protections for wolves. It also has donated money to kill wolves that prey on livestock and has supported wolf hunts and trapping.

Allen says the foundation removed Olaus Murie's name from the award recognizing accomplishments in wildlife research and conservation because it's not going to change its position on wolves.

Olaus Murie was a naturalist, author and wildlife biologist who conducted groundbreaking field work on elk and caribou.

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