Oregon Public Broadcasting

Two conservation groups are asking Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski to spare the lives of two gray wolves.

State Fish and Wildlife officials say the wolves are part of a pack roaming the northeastern corner of Oregon The pack is suspected of killing six cow calves during the last six weeks.

The state has given agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture authority to kill the wolves. The animals are still considered endangered in Oregon.

Greg Dyson from the Hells Canyon Preservation Council says the state hasn't used enough non-lethal methods to lure the wolves away from ranches.

Greg Dyson: "We're a little concerned that they don't know which wolves have been doing the killing of cattle. So they've just put out this general death warrant for two wolves."

Dyson's organization and a conservation group in Eugene have asked the governor to rescind the permit that allows the wolves to be killed.

A spokesman says Kulongoski believes the governor is not the right person to make that decision.

Mike Carrier says the governor trusts state wildlife officials to carry out Oregon's wolf management plan.