Strange wolf-like animal killed in Montana puzzles wildlife officials

FoxNews.com/Science ^ | May 25, 2018 | Robert Gearty

[ETL]

A large wolf-like animal shot and killed in Montana has wildlife officials and social media wondering what it was.

A rancher shot the gray-haired beast on May 16 when it ventured too close to his livestock in Denton.

The rancher reported that he killed a wolf but wolf specialists looked at photos of the animal and doubted it was a purebred wolf, ABCFoxMontana reported.

“The canine teeth were too shot, the front paws too small and claws on the front paw were too long,” Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Bruce Auchly said in a news release Thursday.

“Nevertheless, social media was quick to pronounce the animal as everything from a wolf to a wolf hybrid to something mythical," he said.

[D Rider]

Beat me to it.

[jmacusa]

ah....

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks all!

[Impy]

Challenger disaster.

[Impy]

People enjoy finding stupid reasons to freak out.

[SunkenCiv]

Perhaps a smaller subspecies? In an old diary (genealogy related) the most prolific writer made reference to the “prairie wolf”, which I’d previously understood to be synonymous with coyote.

also, snip:

Dire wolf, (Canis dirus), wolf that existed during the Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago). It is probably the most common mammalian species to be found preserved in the La Brea Tar Pits in southern California. The dire wolf differed from the modern wolf in several ways: it was larger and it had a more massive skull, a smaller brain, and relatively light limbs. The species was considerably widespread, and skeletal remains have been found in Florida, the Mississippi Valley, and the Valley of Mexico.

https://www.britannica.com/animal/dire-wolf

[9422WMR]

Dingo ate my baby....

[ETL]

Above is a link to an article I recall from years ago. Looks to be a similar creature. The guy’s grandfather killed it in Montana 121 years ago.

From your link...

DEIRDRE EITEL/CHRONICLE Jack Kirby poses in Ennis next to the wolf-like creature his grandfather shot in 1886 in the Madison Valley. He is holding the G.W. Morse rifle that was used to kill the animal. Kirby retrieved the mount from an Idaho museum where it was being stored.

[ETL]

This sounds like the Dorkfish all over again.

Dorkfish? Is that a hybrid between....

and

[ETL]

There are increasing reports of a cross-breed of wolf/coyote called Coywolf in Eastern Canada and I think coming down into the states. It is smart and doesn’t seem to be afraid of people.

Yes, I've heard of this. They supposedly have the strength and toughness of a wolf and the cunning and intelligence of a coyote. Like a cross betwwen a T-Rex and Velociraptor. Lol.

[oldasrocks]

Thread drift- I’ll be getting false teeth shortly and want wolf type teeth made. I cannot find a dentist outfit to make them. Anyone have any ideas?

I’m old so want to have a little fun.

[ETL]

[ETL]

"Dire wolf, (Canis dirus), wolf that existed during the Pleistocene Epoch (2.6 million to 11,700 years ago). It is probably the most common mammalian species to be found preserved in the La Brea Tar Pits in southern California."

Dire Wolves Hunting Juvenile Woolly Mammoth ...

[ridesthemiles]

Mutt dog.

Got a local Huski who thinks it is fun to harass my horses.

It is going to be dead as soon as I improve my aim.

[ETL]

[N. Theknow]

[ETL]

Sorry, somehow I missed your post. Was there a delay in it being posting?

[Jim W N]

So I don’t know, maybe this thing was a coywolf.

[Jim W N]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seUMSO3tS8o

[Jim W N]

Coywolf video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seUMSO3tS8o