Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) staff is considering lethal removal of a wolf or wolves from the Columbia wolf pack in southeast Washington.
As of Oct. 27, 2024, staff have investigated four confirmed and one probable depredation events in the pack territory in Columbia County, resulting in one dead and five injured livestock impacting three different livestock producers within a period of 10 months.
On Aug. 6, WDFW staff investigated an injured calf. The investigation revealed evidence consistent with a confirmed wolf depredation.
On Sept. 11, WDFW staff investigated an injured calf. This investigation revealed evidence consistent with a probable wolf depredation.
On Sept. 16, WDFW staff investigated a dead calf. The investigation revealed evidence consistent with a confirmed wolf depredation.
On Oct. 27, WDFW staff investigated 3 injured calves from 2 events. The investigations revealed evidence consistent with confirmed wolf depredations.
WDFW staff discussed the depredations and use of non-lethal measures by producers in this pack territory. Non-lethal deterrents in this case include:
- Delayed turnout,
- Removing sick and injured livestock
- Livestock carcass sanitation
- Manage grazing livestock by placing mineral blocks away from known wolf high use areas, and
- Range riding/human presence
Staff are assessing how to most effectively address this situation moving forward and will provide a recommendation to WDFW’s Director within the next few days.
Columbia Pack depredations in Washington | |
Date | Depredation |
8/6/24 | Confirmed injury of 1 calf |
9/11/24 | Probable injury of 1 calf |
9/16/24 | Confirmed mortality of 1 calf |
10/27/24 | Confirmed injury of 3 calves (2 events) |