SHERIDAN, Wyo. (AP) -- A federal trapper killed a gray wolf feeding on a dead domestic sheep in the Big Horn Mountains.

Mike Jimenez, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf recovery leader for Wyoming, said he authorized the shooting, which happened Sunday in Big Horn National Forest about 25 miles east of Ten Sleep.

''Wolves will come into an area, and if they don't cause any problems, fine," he said. ''But if they do we move to stop it quickly."

Jimenez said six or seven sheep were killed over about a week before the young male wolf was shot over a fresh sheep kill.

Wolves were first reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1996. He said that as the population grows, young wolves often leave established packs and seek new territory.

Jimenez said sheep are especially vulnerable to predators and multiple kills are not uncommon.

Wyoming, Idaho and Montana are developing plans for managing wolves after their removal from Endangered Species Act protection.