VLADIVOSTOK, March 19 (RIA Novosti) - The number of wolves in the Primorye Territory in Russia’s Far East has sharply risen in the past few years due to snowier than average winters, a spokesman for the regional animal protection department said Tuesday.

“There are three to six times more wolves than usual near Lake Khanka,” the spokesman said. “Thirteen of the predators were registered in the Khorol District this winter, and the normal number is three. The situation is similar in neighboring regions.”

The spokesman said the increase in the wolves’ number was due to the fact that the last three winters were extremely snowy, making it harder for hoofed animals such as horses, sheep, goats and pigs – on which the wolves prey – to move quickly.

But the spokesman also said the region might follow the example of the north Siberian region of Yakutia, which began culling wolf numbers this year.

“Measures to shoot them are being discussed as there have been reports that wolves have attacked farmers’ livestock.”