Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agrees to wolf killing notice

In response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and Cascadia Wildlands, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has agreed to provide a one-business-day notice prior to killing wolves involved in livestock attacks. The conservation groups’ suit challenged the WDFW’s Aug. 25, 2017 order authorizing the removal of the Sherman pack. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Chris Lanese ruled that the challenge was moot because the agency had already destroyed the pack. But Lanese also noted that the issues raised were of public importance and deserve to be fully evaluated. The agreement by WDFW to provide notice will provide time for conservation groups to intervene. In a written statement, WDFW said it already provides advance notice of plans to kill wolves, although there is currently not a defined waiting period between making the announcement and searching for wolves. — WLJ