ASOTIN COUNTY, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has approved the killing of an an adult wolf from the Couse wolf pack territory in southeast Washington.
According to a press release from WDFW, Director Kelly Susewind approved the lethal removal of the wolf following repeated livestock attacks in Asotin County.
In the release, WDFW said the department has documented five depredation events, including one dead calf, injuries on a cow and two other calves, and other probable injuries on a cow. WDFW said these attacks have happened within the last 10 months.
Before these events, WDFW said the affected livestock producer implemented more than two "proactive deterrence measures and responsive deterrence measures." WDFW said this included the following:
- Daily to near-daily range riding
- Human presence
- Removing sick and injured livestock from the range
- Livestock carcass sanitation
WDFW said the lethal removal operation will last through midnight on Tuesday, October 8, before the department enters an evaluation period. WDFW also said the operation could be extended if other wolf depredations are documented.