Defenders of Wildlife Praises Washington Wildlife Agency For Prioritizing Nonlethal Wolf Management in Dealing with the Dirty Shirt Pack

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melanie Gade, mgade@defenders.org; (202) 772-0288

Date: July 22, 2015

Defenders of Wildlife Praises Washington Wildlife Agency For Prioritizing Nonlethal Wolf Management in Dealing with the Dirty Shirt Pack

SEATTLE – The President of Defenders of Wildlife today commended Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) for prioritizing the use of nonlethal management tools to put an end to the livestock-wolf conflict involving the Dirty Shirt pack reported earlier in July in Northeastern Washington.

Jamie Rappaport Clark, President and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, issued the following statement:

“WDFW is doing wolf depredation management right in Northeastern Washington with regards to the Dirty Shirt pack. During this difficult and evolving situation, they have aggressively supported the use of nonlethal wildlife management tools to avoid further livestock-wolf conflicts. They have worked collaboratively with local livestock operations, the conservation community and other key stakeholders to allow wolves and livestock to safely share the same landscape. It’s an example of how livestock-predator conflicts should be managed and WDFW is to be commended for their actions to date in employing nonlethal measures.

“Defenders remains committed to partnering with local agencies, communities and landowners to employ proven, on-the-ground nonlethal tools and strategies to reduce potential conflict with livestock and wolves as the species continues to regain its historic habitat in Washington.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.