Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Removes Breeding Female from Grouse Flats Wolf Pack

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.”