The livestock death toll from wolves is probably also a lot higher than 18. Envirowackos demand wolf reintroduction. Government goes along with it because anything to limit the rights of citizens even more than the are now is a good idea from the government point of view. Wolves kill livestock. Rancher puts in claim. Government slow walks claim. Government denies part of claim. Rancher gets paid small fraction of livestock loss value. Taxpayer gets stuck for whatever it costs to A. Reintroduce wolves B. Support bureaucracy to keep track of wolves. C. administer the claims. D. And finally whatever the rancher actually gets paid for his losses
Would make more sense for wolf reintroducers to be fed to the wolves.
Next they will be forcing transgender wolves on us.