I am writing to provide you with an update on the continuing Profanity Peak wolf pack lethal removal effort. As you know, the Department initiated a removal effort August 4 after documenting four confirmed wolf depredations on cattle in Ferry County. On August 5, Department staff, using aerial methods, lethally removed 2 adult females. Staff continued the removal operation without success until August 18. The Department ended the removal operation August 18 after a 13-day period without any documented livestock depredations.
On August 19, Department staff documented two more confirmed wolf depredations resulting to injuries to two calves, plus two probable wolf depredations resulting in calf mortalities. This prompted Department staff to recommend a second removal effort. Subsequently, on August 19, WDFW Director Jim Unsworth authorized a second effort to lethally remove up to all pack members.
On August 21, Department staff lethally removed one adult male. The next day, staff removed three wolves, including one female pup, an adult male, and a second adult. The sex of the second adult is unknown at this time, because Department staff have not yet retrieved this animal. Staff verified that the wolf was humanely killed from a helicopter, but was not found during in subsequent attempts to locate it. Department staff continue to search for the wolf, and I will notify you on the outcome in the next update.
This week’s removals bring the total to six wolves removed since August 4.
The removal operation is ongoing and I will provide another update next week.
– Donny Martorello, WDFW Wolf Policy Lead