This is an update for the Leadpoint wolf pack following the Aug. 1, 2024 decision by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind to not pursue lethal removal of a wolf or wolves from the pack following a series of livestock depredations. The Department is currently in an evaluation period regarding this pack.
Since the Aug. 1 decision, WDW staff have investigated a depredation on Aug. 2. This depredation is in addition to three confirmed wolf depredation events in the pack territory resulting in two dead and one injured livestock since June 28, 2024, all attributed to the Leadpoint pack:
- On June 28, WDFW staff investigated an injured calf. The investigation revealed evidence consistent with a confirmed wolf depredation (injury). That calf later died.
- On July 25, WDFW staff investigated a calf mortality. The investigation revealed evidence consistent with a confirmed wolf depredation.
- On July 28, WDFW staff investigated two injured calves in the same pasture as the last two investigations. One calf’s injuries were confirmed to have been caused by a wolf or wolves while the second was determined to be a non-depredation.
- On Aug. 2, WDFW staff investigated an injured cow and an injured calf. The cow’s injuries were confirmed to have been caused by a wolf or wolves while the calf’s injuries were determined to be a non-depredation.
WDFW staff are discussing the depredations and use of non-lethal measures in this pack territory, and whether they believe depredations will continue despite the use of non-lethal deterrents. At least two (in this case, more than two) proactive deterrence measures and responsive deterrence measures (if applicable) were implemented by the affected livestock producer prior to these depredation events. Non-lethal deterrents in this case include:
- Range riding
- Human presence
- Thinning trees within the pasture that have provided cover for wolves
- Removing sick, injured, orphaned calves and carcasses
The Department documented these deterrents in the agency's "wolf-livestock mitigation measures" checklist, with date entries for deterrent tools and coordination with the producer.
WDFW staff discussed the recent depredations by the Leadpoint wolf pack and associated effectiveness of the nonlethal deterrence tools implemented by the affected livestock producers. Staff determined that range riding occurred on a daily/near daily basis, along with regular human presence.
Because this pack is in an evaluation period, staff are again assessing how to address this situation most effectively and whether to consider lethal removal.
Previous updates
2024 Leadpoint pack updates:
WDFW will provide a final report on this and any other lethal removal actions during 2024 in the Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2024 Annual Report, which will be published during spring 2025.
A summary of all documented depredation activity within the past 10 months is included in every monthly wolf update.