2 Wolves Lethally Removed From Depredating Pack In SE WA

WDFW lethally removed a pair of wolves from the Columbia Pack yesterday in response to a series of confirmed and probable calf depredations in the Blue Mountains foothills.

The agency reported this morning that an adult male and yearling female were taken out by staff.

“With this removal, the lethal removal authorization has expired, and an evaluation period has started,” WDFW posted.

Director Kelly Susewind authorized removals on January 6 after the pack was confirmed to have killed two calves and injuring four others as well as probably injuring six more in a five-month series of attacks affecting four different livestock producers. The idea with the removals is to “change the pack’s behavior” and head off further depredations.

WDFW said the ranchers have been using nonlethal deterrents such as using range riding and human presence, removing sick and injured animals, stringing fladry and fox lights, and putting mineral blocks away from areas of high wolf use. They also calved away from wolf areas and delayed spring turnout.

“If WDFW documents additional livestock depredations indicating a renewed pattern of depredation, WDFW may initiate another lethal removal action following the guidelines of the Wolf Plan and wolf-livestock interaction protocol,” the agency post stated.