The wolves were shot Jan. 9 by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said DWR spokesperson Faith Jolley, a move allowed because the animals were found in a small corner of northeastern Utah exempt from federal gray wolf protections. The region, which lies mostly east of Interstate 15 and extends roughly as far south as Ogden, is considered part of the greater Yellowstone region, where the predator is in recovery. It is the only part of Utah where the state is allowed to manage wolves. Jolley said state law directs DWR to prevent wolves from breeding in the delisted area. This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aims to inform readers across the state.