In brief: Survey confirms three breeding wolf pairs

The annual year-end survey of Washington’s five confirmed wolf packs has documented three successful breeding pairs and a total of at least 27 wolves, the state Fish and Wildlife Department said Wednesday in a news release.

The tally, conducted through field work and aerial monitoring, found two of the successful breeding pairs in the Eastern Washington wolf-recovery region and one in the North Cascades recovery region. A successful wolf breeding pair is defined as an adult male and female with at least two pups that survive until the end of the calendar year.

Evidence of unconfirmed packs was noted in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and at Hozomeen in the North Cascades, as well as transient single wolves, according to Rocky Beach, WDFW’s wildlife diversity program manager.

Under the recently adopted Washington wolf conservation and management plan, wolves will be removed from the state’s endangered species list once 15 successful breeding pairs are documented for three consecutive years among three wolf-recovery regions.

Rich Landers

Suspect who eluded SWAT team arrested

A man who officials say escaped capture last month after trying to fire a gun at a Spokane police officer has been arrested in Addy, Wash.

Chase J. Earl-West, 22, was wanted on a warrant for violating drug court conditions imposed for a car theft charge when he allegedly tried to shoot at the officer Dec. 12. He was taken into custody Wednesday by the Spokane Police Patrol Anti-Crime Team, with the help of the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force, a Border Patrol helicopter and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers were looking for Earl-West at the Randolph Arms Apartments near Spokane Falls Community College late Dec. 12 when he allegedly pointed a gun at an officer and pulled the trigger. The gun malfunctioned and did not fire, police say. A SWAT team standoff ensued and 30 surrounding units were evacuated.

Police believe Earl-West escaped before a perimeter was set up and the nine-hour standoff began.

Meghann Cuniff