Federal trappers will continue to remove problem wolves in Minnesota under a program that had run out of funding last week -- but now has received a three-month reprieve.

The wolf predation management program removes wolves that threaten livestock, pets or humans. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., said Tuesday that she had secured program funding for the rest of the year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services has been removing problem wolves for decades in Minnesota, but funding ran out last week. Klobuchar said she worked with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to find funding for the program until the end of the year, when the wolf is scheduled to be delisted and management will return to the state.

It's a significant issue for livestock owners who operate in wolf territory. Last year, federal trappers removed 192 problem wolves, which killed about 100 cows and sheep, and 15 dogs.

"We expect there will be limited activity in the next three months, so the cost will be less than $70,000," said Carol Bannerman, a public affairs specialist with the federal Wildlife Services. Annually, the program costs about $727,000 for Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Wolf experts said that control of troublesome animals is vital to ensure the long-term public acceptance of wolves, and that the state will have to find a way to fund a similar program after the wolf is delisted.

DOUG SMITH