WDFW: OPT Pack Responsible For Three More Depredations

Earlier this month the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildfire shot and killed an adult male member of the OPT pack in Ferry County.

Has that helped address depredations in the area?

After that radio-collared wolf was shot July 13^th, WDFW has investigated seven more depredations in the same area.  Four were reported July 23, resulting on two calves being euthanized.

Then on July 26^th, the same livestock producer discovered three more injured calves.  WDFW says the damage to each of these calves was indicative of wolf depredation.  The exact date calves were injured could not be determined from the evidence present, but injuries on two of the calves were estimated to be four to five days old and injuries on the third calf were at least a week old. Based on the evidence, WDFW staff confirmed these injuries were caused by wolves.

The producer continues to remove or secure livestock carcasses (when discovered) to avoid attracting wolves to the rest of the herd, and remove sick and injured livestock (when discovered) from the grazing area until they are healed. WDFW and county staff are continuing to coordinate patrols of the grazing area to increase human presence and use Fox lights at salting and watering locations to deter wolves. Other livestock producers with cattle on federal grazing allotments in the OPT pack territory have deployed range riders.

Since the removal of an OPT wolf on July 13, the OPT pack has been involved in seven depredation incidents (two killed and five injured livestock), and a total of 27 since September  5th, 2018.

WDFW Director Kelly Susewind is now assessing this situation and considering next steps. The Department said it will keep the public informed about this activity through weekly updates.

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