At least 16 wild horses have been shot dead in Utah's rural San Juan County since the beginning of the year, and one group working to protect them suspects there are more to be found.

Advocates for Wild Equines is not only asking for state or federal protections for the horses, but is also demanding a full investigation into the shootings.

Lynda Logan, a member of the group, said it is unfortunate the animals' carcasses have been found only because of the efforts of some private citizens.

"It's just being able to cover enough ground to determine if there are more bodies out there," Logan pointed out. "I know that they are using a drone to assist with that. Just the two brothers, not the authorities as far as I know."

The motive behind the killings is still unclear, but Logan acknowledged wild horses are considered to be pests by some ranchers, who feel they compete for grazing rights with other livestock. It is estimated Utah has about 3,500 wild horses.

Logan thinks it is very likely more horse carcasses will be found.

The wild horses, which are federally protected today, were identified and included in a 1971 law.

Logan noted the law may protect them from being killed, but not from being rounded up and removed. The horses found dead in Utah were in a region with no Herd Management Area, a designation which indicates it is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. Logan explained it means the horses are seen as "feral" or "unauthorized livestock."

"If the horses were truly viewed as a protected national species, instead of a pest, things would be much different," Logan contended.

Logan hopes the public and Congress can pressure agencies, like the BLM and the Forest Service, to come up with more sustainable solutions to protect wild horses. She added the herds help the agencies control wildfires and locate water.

Wolf packs lose their ability to thrive when one of their members dies as a result of human activity, according to a new study that comes amid calls to ban a bear-hunting practice at a Wisconsin site to protect wildlife.

Researchers have said wolves sometimes venture out of protected sites such as national parks. When one is killed by poaching or struck by a vehicle, the chances of its pack staying together decrease by 27%. If it's a pack leader, group stability decreases by more than 70%.

Kira Cassidy, a research associate at Yellowstone National Park who led the research, said these impacts don't always surface in population estimates but they're just as important.

"We know that wolf packs live in these family groups where each wolf kind of has their own set of responsibilities and tasks, especially the leaders," she said, "and so, when a pack loses one of those, it is the most detrimental."

The study also cited a negative effect on reproduction. In Wisconsin, conservation and wildlife groups are asking the U.S. Forest Service to ban hounding in Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Because of federal protections, wolves can't be hunted, but the petition said there are still "violent encounters" between hunting dogs and wolves, even when other animals are being hunted.

The Center for Biological Diversity was among the groups seeking the ban, where Collette Adkins, its carnivore conservation director, said it's a matter of public safety, too, with people hiking through forests sometimes surrounded by hunting dogs. She said she feels the activity is a stark contrast to the purpose of these sites.

"We don't think this type of hunting has any place in our national forests," she said, "which really should be a haven for wildlife."

On a broader scale, some pro-hunting groups and farmers' advocates have said wolves prey on livestock that need to be protected. Separately, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is in the process of updating its wolf-management plan. The public comment period has been extended to Feb. 28.

As the New Year takes shape, Wisconsin officials say they are still trying to get to the bottom of a recent death involving a bald eagle and are asking the public for help.

Last month, the wounded animal was discovered just outside Milwaukee and later died during surgery. The Humane Society and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources say there's evidence the animal was shot.

Nick Miofsky, southeast region law enforcement supervisor for the DNR, said the probe continues, and any information from the public would certainly aid their investigation.

"If anybody has any information about the eagle or knows anything about what happened, contact our Wisconsin DNR tip line," Miofsky urged.

The tip line number is 1-800-847-9367. Eagles and their nests are federally protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Wounding or killing one comes with a $100,000 fine and one year in prison for a first offense. The punishments increase for a second violation.

The DNR said Wisconsin's bald eagle population has rebounded after previously being on the endangered species list. Miofsky noted he understands how starling cases like these can be for the public.

"I can definitely understand how people are passionate about our national symbol and icon," Miofsky acknowledged. "And being in the line of work that I'm in, whether it be an eagle or other wildlife, I mean, I don't like to see anybody intentionally harm wildlife outside of regulated hunting and trapping."

Earlier this year, the agency was investigating another fatal shooting of a bald eagle. The incident also happened in the southeastern part of the state. It is unclear if there is any connection to what happened in December.

Adopting a pet was a lifesaver for many people isolated during the pandemic. Two years later, many animal shelters, including those in Albuquerque, face crisis-level intakes with decreased adoptions.

Carolyn Ortega, director of animal welfare for the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department, said despite a Black Friday event, which saw 157 of 900 animals adopted, about 55 new animals are surrendered each day, making it difficult to keep up.

The problem started with the pandemic, according to Ortega, when almost three million neuter/spay surgeries were not performed.

"Which basically caused a domino effect," Ortega explained. "Resulting in multiple litters being born in 2020 and 2021, so we're seeing the results of that."

She noted some animals have been at the Albuquerque shelter for six months to a year, which can cause them to develop emotional or behavioral problems.

Research shows 75% of people surrendering animals are not doing so because of a behavioral issue or because they do not want the pet. Ortega stressed right now, a downturn in the economy is a contributing factor because many are downsizing from homes to apartments.

"Some of the larger dogs are being brought in because they don't have the yard space anymore that they had with the home," Ortega pointed out. "Or the apartment that they're moving into has such a high deposit for anyone who's bringing in an animal."

The Albuquerque animal shelters will participate in a "Holiday Happiness" adoption event this weekend, Friday through Sunday. Ortega added adoption fees, vaccinations, microchipping and spay/neuter services will all be free.

"They get a first dog training, and then their first vet visit is paid for as well," Ortega emphasized. "It's covered through the adoption, so it's almost like we're paying you to take a pet and all we're asking is that you give them a loving home."

The Albuquerque shelter is defined as no-kill, meaning 90% of the animals are adopted, leaving about 10% subject to euthanization.