BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- An Idaho board in charge of killing problem wolves kept information from a state senator during a recent budget hearing.
The Spokesman-Review reported that board wouldn't tell the senator Monday how many wolves it has killed in 2016 or how much it cost.
U.S. Department of Agriculture officials confirmed Tuesday that the reticence was because they were trying to keep a current wolf-killing program under wraps.
That operation involves the aerial shooting of wolves in the Lolo region of north Idaho. Environmental groups revealed the program when they released a press release in opposition to the actions later Monday.
Although the USDA confirmed the operation, the Idaho Fish and Game Department would not confirm it Tuesday. Officials also would not say how many wolves have been killed in the operation so far.
