Fish & Wildlife Investigating Several Depredations In SE Washington

Following a series of recent depredations in Asotin County, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is considering lethal removal of a wolf or wolves from the Couse wolf pack.

One Producer, Three Depredations, Less Than 30 Days

On March 17th, WDFW staff were called out to a depredation on a deceased steer calf discovered the previous day.  While staff were conducting the necropsy, a second deceased calf was located.  Both were confirmed to be wolf depredations.

Investigators say a 3rd calf attack was investigated on April 1st and determined to be a probable wolf depredation.  And then on April 3rd, a fatal wolf depredation of an adult cow was confirmed, for a total of three confirmed depredations and one probable depredation in less than 30 days.

All the affected cattle belonged to a single livestock producer.

An employee of the producer experiencing the most recent depredations shot and killed a wolf attacking cattle on April 3.

The producer, impacted by the recent depredations, was using the following non-lethal deterrents:

• Daily/near daily range riding,
• Daily human presence,
• Fox lights,
• Removal of sick or injured livestock.

WDFW staff discussed the recent depredations by the Couse wolf pack, as well as the potential effectiveness of additional reactive non-lethal deterrence tools. Given the consistent current human presence and range riding efforts, as well as the size of the pasture, staff do not believe there are any additional reactive non-lethal deterrents appropriate for this situation.

Not An Isolated Incident

WDFW's staff is assessing how to address this situation moving most effectively forward and will provide a recommendation to WDFW’s Director Kelly Susewind within the next few days.

This is not the first time the Couse pack has been investigated by WDFW.  In February, investigators were called out to a depredation on a yearling calf belonging to a different producer.  WDFW said those injuries appeared to be months old.

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