News Release Wolves remain protected in Washington - March 28 Reporting Wolf Sightings in Washington Contact Numbers and Information Washington Wolf Conservation and Management Plan Home Working group named to develop state wolf plan [WDFW News Release - January 8, 2007] Wolf Working Group Operating Principles Meetings Working Group Members Draft Chapters of the Washington Wolf Conservation and Management Plan State Environmental Protection Act and Wolves - August Statewide Scoping Meetings - Public Comments from Scoping Meetings Other Wolf Information Wolves in Washington Fact Sheet Other Links Oregon Wolf Plan/Advisory Committee Montana Wolf Plan/Advisory Committee Gray Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains - USFWS The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund - Defenders of Wildlife Gray Wolves - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Idaho Wolf Management - Idaho Fish and Game Wolf Conservation and Management - Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Wolf Haven International

Toll-free Wolf Reporting Hotline for Washington 1- 888- 584- 9038 More Contact Numbers and Information Gray Wolf - Canis lupis Photo by Gary Kramer, USFWS CLICK TO ENLARGE The wolf is an endangered species in Washington under both state and federal law. It is state endangered throughout Washington, federally listed as endangered in the western two-thirds of the state (west of white line); and federally delisted in the eastern third of the state (east of white line). Gray Wolf The gray wolf is an endangered species in Washington under both state and federal law. In the eastern third of the state, wolves have been removed from the federal list of endangered species as part of a larger federal action to de-list the northern Rocky Mountain wolf population. They remain listed by the state as an endangered species throughout Washington, and remain federally listed in the western two-thirds of the state (see Map). Historically, wolves were found throughout most or all of Washington. They were extirpated (removed) from Washington by the 1930’s through human persecution, with the exception of a few individuals dispersing periodically into the state since then. In recent years, wolf populations have re-established in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming through ongoing wolf-recovery programs. As wolves in these states increase in numbers and expand their range, they are expected to disperse into Washington and establish breeding populations here. In response to the eventual return of wolves and the state management responsibility following federal de-listing, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) began developing a conservation and management plan for the species in 2006. WDFW Director Jeff Koenings appointed 18 citizens with a broad range of perspectives to a Wolf Working Group to advise WDFW in developing the plan. The working group provides input to WDFW on key elements of the plan and will review its content. The working group and WDFW staff met seven times during 2007 and 2008 (see Meetings) and public scoping meetings were held throughout the state in August 2007. In late spring 2008 the working group and WDFW will finalize a draft plan that will undergo scientific peer review this summer. A 90-day public-review period in fall 2008 will include public meetings throughout the state, followed by a final working group meeting to complete the plan. The final plan will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for consideration in 2009. State law (WAC 232-12-297) requires conservation of listed species through preparation of recovery or management plans, which direct WDFW to address the threats to listed species. The Washington Wolf Conservation and Management Plan is being developed to ensure a self-sustaining population of gray wolves in the state and to address potential conflicts.