Donny Martorello, wolf policy lead with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), confirmed to WLJ that the department will continue providing detailed information on wolf pack locations to area ranchers.
Earlier this year the WDFW introduced a tracking system that only provides general wolf locations. Ranchers argued that they need more specific information in order to protect their herds. Kelly Susewind, WDFW’s new director, who has only been on the job since early August, said he has heard from ranchers and understands their concerns about changing a system in the middle of a grazing season.
Martorello explained, “Director Susewind wanted to give department staff and livestock producers/counties enrolled in the program more time to refine the way wolf location information is shared so it meets the needs of the users and the department. By vote, the commission supported Director Susewind’s direction.”
In other wolf activity, over the weekend of Aug. 11-12, WDFW staff deployed remote cameras in the Togo wolf pack area to help determine the number of wolves in the pack. They also set traps in the area in an effort to capture and radio-collar additional members of the pack.
Susewind said he wants as much information as possible on the developing situation before he considers further action. There have been five confirmed depredations by this pack in the last 10 months.
