Russia offers bounty for killing wolves

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Wolves in Russia's far east now have a price on their skin to control their growing numbers.

Hunters in the Amur River region will get 8,046 rubles ($274.70) for each skin they bring to wildlife protection authorities, RIA Novosti reported Wednesday.

"The number of wolves in the Amur region is growing steadily," a spokesman said. "In 2010 there were 225,000 wolves, up from 206,000 in 2009."

Officials say the predators' population must be reduced to protect deer, elk, goats and other animals.

The population control method of placing poisoned meat near the wolves' habitats was abandoned five years ago, the report said.