The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today announced the removal of the adult breeding female wolf from the Grouse Flats pack in southeastern Washington in response to recent depredations. The removal took place on September 25, the day after the agency issued a lethal removal authorization. The lethal removal order was issued in response to two wolf depredations within the past 30 days, and four confirmed depredations within roughly two months.
Quinn Read, Director of Northwest Programs at Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:
“This lethal removal, in addition to the push for state delisting of the species, is a troubling indication of where WDFW stands on wolf recovery. Going full speed ahead with lethally removing wolves does not inspire confidence in WDFW’s long-term plans for wolf management in Washington. This cannot be the new standard.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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