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2 wolves killed in Southeastern Washington

Fish and Wildlife staff kill pair over attacks on cattle

By Michael Wright, The Spokesman-Review
Published: January 15, 2025, 3:37pm

SPOKANE — A pair of wolves in Southeastern Washington were killed on Monday in response to a series of attacks on cattle.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced on Tuesday that its staff killed a yearling female and an adult male from the Columbia pack, fulfilling the lethal removal order issued by WDFW Director Kelly Susewind last week.

The removal order followed the killing of a calf inside a corral in Columbia County on Dec. 29. It was the 12th animal this year that had been attacked by the Columbia pack, WDFW records say.

Following the killing of the two wolves on Monday, the lethal removal order expires. A producer permit also expires.

WDFW records show 2024 was a new high-water mark for wolf-livestock conflict in Washington, with at least 56 cattle injured or killed by wolves.

Including the Columbia pack operation, WDFW has killed six wolves in the past six months in response to attacks on cattle.

WDFW’s 2023 minimum count found that the state had at least 260 wolves across 42 packs. The Columbia pack was believed to consist of at least three wolves and was not considered a successful breeding pair.

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