WDFW authorizes lethal removal of Asotin County wolves
By Terry Murry on Thursday, August 24th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – Following four depredation events resulting in six dead livestock on private and public grazing lands in Asotin County since May 21, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind Wednesday authorized the lethal removal of one or two wolves from the WA139 wolf group territory.
Pro-active and responsive non-lethal deterrents, which included deploying fox lights, near daily human presence, range riding, temporary fencing, removal of sick or injured livestock, and carcass sanitation, used by the four affected livestock producers have not curtailed further depredations.
The lethal removal of up to two wolves from the WA139 group territory is not expected to harm the wolf population’s ability to reach the statewide or local recovery objective.
The lethal removal authorization expires when a wolf or wolves in the authorization has/have been removed or after September 6 (regardless of whether wolves have been removed), whichever comes first. The authorization could be extended or amended to include other wolves in the pack area if additional depredations are documented.
Editor’s note: This group of wolves in Washington also roams into Wallowa County, where it is named the Wildcat Pack. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has approved a request for lethal removal on private pastureland there. The order allows for the lethal removal of up to two wolves and will expire Oct. 31.
