Russia's Siberian republic of Yakutia has declared a state of emergency due to attacks on livestock by wolves.
Yakutia leader Yegor Borisov's press service said wolf attacks on reindeer and horses are increasing.
Hunting parties are being formed and on January 15 a three-month battle against wolves will be declared.
Currently, there are more than 3,500 wolves in Yakutia.
The press service said hunting wolves will be permitted until the number drops to some 500.
A decrease in the number of rabbits and squirrels in the region, the wolves' usual food, has increasingly led the wolves to attack livestock.
Wolves are blamed for killing more than 16,000 reindeer in Yakutia in 2012.
Borisov did not say how recent temperatures of around minus 50 Celsius would impact the planned hunt.
Yakutia leader Yegor Borisov's press service said wolf attacks on reindeer and horses are increasing.
Hunting parties are being formed and on January 15 a three-month battle against wolves will be declared.
Currently, there are more than 3,500 wolves in Yakutia.
The press service said hunting wolves will be permitted until the number drops to some 500.
A decrease in the number of rabbits and squirrels in the region, the wolves' usual food, has increasingly led the wolves to attack livestock.
Wolves are blamed for killing more than 16,000 reindeer in Yakutia in 2012.
Borisov did not say how recent temperatures of around minus 50 Celsius would impact the planned hunt.
