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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Washington OKs killing wolf from pack in Asotin County

A coalition of environmental groups has sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over its decision to not protect the animals under the Endangered Species Act in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.  (Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
From staff reports

State officials have approved the killing of one wolf from a southeast Washington pack in response to a series of livestock attacks.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday that it had approved the killing of a wolf from the Couse pack, which roams a territory in Asotin County.

WDFW said in a news release that the pack was deemed responsible for killing one calf and injuring other livestock in multiple incidents since June, a period that meets the agency’s requirements for authorizing lethal removal. 

In July, the agency declined to order lethal removal and instead decided to evaluate the pack’s behavior. In September, another attack on a calf was reported, prompting WDFW to investigate.

Landowners in the area have been using non-lethal tools to discourage wolf-livestock interactions, such as range riding and regular human presence. 

WDFW staff believe the attacks would continue without the killing of a wolf. The lethal removal authorization is good until Oct. 8.

This is the fourth time this year that WDFW has authorized the killing of wolves in response to livestock attacks. 

The authorization drew the ire of wolf advocates Wednesday morning. Wildlife For All issued a statement condemning WDFW’s decision, arguing that lethal removals can harm wolf pack dynamics and threaten the species’ recovery.

The group also said the killings only serve to “pacify ranchers” who complain after a wolf kills their cattle.