Five sheep had been killed and investigators found evidence of wolf presence, including wolf tracks and bite marks on carcasses consistent with wolves.

State and federal laws strictly protect wolves within Colorado. Once a wolf wanders into Wyoming, however, it’s no longer covered by the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which prohibits anyone from harassing or killing the animals without federal permission.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services killed the male gray wolf after five sheep were attacked in Wyoming.