I am writing to provide an update on recent livestock depredations by wolves in the range of the Profanity Peak pack in northeast Washington, which has prompted WDFW to initiate the provisions of the lethal removal protocol developed jointly by WAG and the Department earlier this year.
On August 3, 2016, Department staff investigated a calf carcass in the Profanity Peak wolf pack area of northern Ferry County. Based on the investigation, the calf’s death was classified as a confirmed wolf depredation event.
This incident brought to four the total confirmed wolf depredations this year by the Profanity Peak pack. Three additional incidents in the area were classified as “probable” depredations. More information is available in the chronology of events document on the Department’s website, which contains a web page for each wolf pack in the state. The Profanity Peak chronology is here (link to web page; note: you may need to refresh your web-browser to download the recent version).
As a result of these events, the Department is activating the recently adopted lethal removal protocol (web link to the document here). The criteria in the protocol for consideration and implementation of lethal removal have been reached for the wolves in the Profanity Peak pack, and WDFW Director Jim Unsworth authorized lethal removal of a portion of the pack. Consistent with protocol, the rationale for starting with partial pack removal and more details on the number of wolves to be removed will be included in a report after the removal is complete.
The purpose of lethal removal is to stop wolf depredations from continuing in the near future by disrupting the pack’s pattern of activity and reducing its food requirements. Consistent with the terms of the protocol, the rationale for lethal removal in this case is as follows:
-
WDFW has documented four confirmed wolf depredation events in the Profanity Peak pack area during 2016, AND
-
The requirement was met that at least one of the four confirmed depredation events resulted in livestock being killed (in this situation all four events involved livestock killed by wolves), AND
-
Proactive deterrence measures were implemented but did not prevent depredations (preventive steps included removing or securing livestock carcasses, turning out larger calves on the federal grazing allotment, and the use of a range rider. More information is available in the chronology document), AND
-
WDFW expects depredations to continue, AND
-
The Department has notified the public of the pack’s activities and related management actions. We informed the WAG and interested parties by email when the pack was discovered in September 2014 and provided a map of the pack’s range in August 2015. WDFW provided WAG updates on July 15, 19, and 26 with information on all confirmed wolf depredations on livestock in the area and the producer’s eligibility for compensation, and we described the preventive measures in updates to the chronology of events.
-
As mentioned earlier, Director Unsworth has authorized removal of a portion of the Profanity Peak pack, which is estimated to include a minimum of 11 wolves. We expect to begin the effort very soon, depending on weather and related environmental factors. We will use the best removal method available to emphasize human safety, humaneness to the wolves, and timely completion of the removal. Removal options include shooting from a helicopter, trapping, and shooting from the ground.
Per the protocol, the Department will keep you and the public informed about this activity through regular (at least weekly) updates to the WAG and Interested Parties email distribution list. After the removal action is complete, WDFW will make a complete report to you and the public, including information about staff recommendations, details of the removal, and the Director’s determination in approving, denying, or modifying the staff recommendation for lethal removal.
Please contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns. Bruce Botka, the Department’s Public Affairs Director, and I will coordinate our responses to news media inquiries during this time. Bruce’s contact information is below.
- Donny Martorello, WDFW Wolf Policy Lead