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  3. Wolf expansion continues at nearly 30 percent a year in Washington

Wolf expansion continues at nearly 30 percent a year in Washington

Washington officials confirmed a minimum of 20 gray wolf packs in the state at the end of 2016. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Washington officials confirmed a minimum of 20 gray wolf packs in the state at the end of 2016. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

ENDANGERED SPECIES -- Gray wolves continued their steady increase in population and range in Washington last year despite the deaths of at least 14 animals, according to a 25-page annual report on the endangered species’ recovery.

The state’s minimum estimated wolf population increased by about 28 percent from 2015 estimates to at least 115 wolves in 20 known packs, The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says in the report released today.

The packs going into this year included at least 10 successful breeding pairs, up from five documented in 2015.

  • See my full story on the report and the status of wolves in Washington.
Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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