On June 23, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind authorized the incremental lethal removal of one or two wolves from the Tucannon wolf pack in southeast Washington following repeated livestock depredations.
As of June 21, WDFW had confirmed three livestock mortalities and five probable livestock injuries involving three producers. Agency officials said producers had implemented nonlethal measures, including range riding, regular human presence, delayed calf turnout and removal of sick or injured livestock.
WDFW determined that additional deterrents were unlikely to prevent further conflicts because wolves and livestock continue to overlap across the landscape. Officials said removing one or two wolves will not affect statewide recovery goals.
