The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is investigating wolf attacks on cattle in the territory formerly occupied by the Profanity Peak pack in 2016 and the northern territory of the Sherman pack in 2017. Between Sept. 5-7, WDFW documented five confirmed wolf depredations on calves in the northeast area of the state. The depredations resulted in one dead and four injured calves on a U.S. Forest Service grazing allotment.
[inline_image file=”414b673b16d1194ebda10cc8603a6db3.jpg” caption=”Investigators examining the injuries and surrounding incidents of this calf in northern Ferry County, WA, classified the injured calf as a confirmed wolf depredation.”]
WDFW documented the presence of a new pack in the area in May. The department notified the producer and shared the general location of the suspected den site with them. The department notified the public about the unnamed pack on June 1, 2018. The estimated pack size from recent surveys indicate the Old Profanity Territory pack has three to four adults and likely no more than two pups.
The Profanity Peak wolf pack was confirmed as a pack in 2014. Based on surveys in June 2016, the pack had a minimum of 11 members, up from seven estimated during the annual survey in December 2015. Starting Aug. 5, 2016 state wildlife managers lethally removed seven members of the pack after deterrence measures were unsuccessful in preventing livestock depredations.
The department estimates that at least four members of the Profanity Peak pack—an adult female and three juveniles—remained in the pack’s territory as of Oct. 18, 2016 when WDFW suspended its lethal removal action. At that time, the department determined that those wolves no longer posed a significant threat to livestock, given that the only adult in the pack was a smaller-body-sized female and that ranchers were moving their livestock off the grazing area for the season.
The actions taken by WDFW personnel in 2016 were consistent with the state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and protocol for the lethal removal of wolves.
In recent efforts to reduce livestock depredations, WDFW and the livestock producer coordinated a number of nonlethal deterrence measures including:
• Using range riders;
• Calving away from areas occupied by wolves;
• Delaying the turnout of cows and calves until July 10, so calves are larger; normal turnout is June 1;
• Removing or securing livestock carcasses that may attract wolves; and
• Removing sick or injured livestock from the grazing allotment.
Wolf deterrent measures beginning on Sept. 9 and 10 of this year include installing fox lights at cattle salting areas and moving cattle toward adjacent grazing areas.
An update on wolf activity from WDFW noted that the department believes the use of range riders is one of the best proactive deterrents for this particular operation and the remote, rugged, large acreage open range country. A typical day for a range rider includes locating livestock, checking them for stress or injury, moving the animals to different locations (if agreed to by the producer) based on grazing needs and/or carnivore activity, locating smaller groups of livestock that may wander too far from the rest of the herd or desired grazing locations, and communicating with the producer and WDFW regarding livestock behavior, predator signs, depredations and other relevant information.
The depredations in this area happened in quick succession, and WDFW staff have spent several days gathering information, assisting the producer, providing reports, and considering next steps. — WLJ
