WDFW Approves The Removal Of Two SE Washington Wolves

Washington wildlife officials have authorized the killing of up to two wolves from the Couse pack in southeast Washington following repeated attacks on livestock.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind approved the action Friday, citing provisions in the state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the department’s wolf-livestock protocol.

Since November, investigators have confirmed four livestock deaths, one probable death and one injury in Asotin County involving two producers.  The latest confirmed attack was September 8th. 

The Department said the impacted livestock producers implemented proactive nonlethal deterrents including human presence and daily /near daily range riding, delayed turnout of calves until they weighed over 200 pounds, avoiding areas with high wolf activity early in the grazing season when calves were smaller, and removal of sick or injured livestock from grazing areas.

WDFW added no additional reactive nonlethal measures are appropriate, and removing one or two wolves would not jeopardize wolf recovery in eastern Washington or statewide.

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