Profanity Wolf Pack to be Removed After More Livestock Deaths Confirmed

Updated as of Saturday August 20

From Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife news release.

Today, WDFW Director Jim Unsworth has again authorized the removal of wolves in the Profanity Peak pack.  His decision was based on 1) the fact that the criteria in the protocol for lethal removal was met on Aug. 3 when he previously authorized partial pack removal, 2) two wolves were removed on Aug. 5 and 3) depredations have continued with the three recently documented.

With partial pack removal efforts occurring from August 4-18, the Director has now authorized up to full pack removal, with recognition that full pack removal may be extremely challenging given the rugged and heavy timbered landscape in the area.

I will be updating the Chronology of Events document on the Departments website early next week with this recent information.

Per the protocol, the Department will keep you and the public informed about this activity through weekly updates to the WAG and Interested Parties email distribution list.  After the removal action is complete, WDFW will make a complete report to you and the public, including information about staff recommendations, details of the removal, and the Director’s determination in approving, denying, or modifying the staff recommendation for lethal removal.

After fatally shooting two wolves, state wildlife officials ended operations to remove other members of the pack in northeastern Washington. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said Thursday it resumes killing wolves if there are new attacks on livestock. State officials in helicopters shot and killed two adult female wolves Aug. 5th after confirming several livestock attacks by the wolves this year. During the two-week operation, officials tracked wolves in Ferry County by air and on the ground using GPS signals. The wolves eventually retreated into thick forest of the Kettle River Range.

Reports of additional livestock deaths in Ferry County amps up rancher concerns over the effectiveness of the State's Grey Wolf management plan. . .

State Representative Joel Kretz says he was at a meeting last night with Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife officials when the cattle deaths were first reported.. . .

Kretz, who owns a horse ranch in Wauconda, has been an outspoken critic of the State's response to livestock deaths. He says he plans to address the issue when he returns to Olympia next year.

News Radio 560 KPQ's Steve Hair interviewed Representative Kretz following last night's meeting . .