This update provides an overview of gray wolf conservation and management activities in Washington during February 2020.
Program updates
In 2019, WDFW contracted with Responsive Management to assess Washington residents’ attitudes toward wolves and wolf management. The full report is available here (PDF).
Communication and coordination
WDFW staff gave a presentation about wolves as part of the Olympic National Park Perspectives Speakers Series at the Port Angeles Main Library. The presentation was filmed and is available for viewing.
Current population status and proactive conflict mitigation
The year-end minimum population count for 2018 was at least 126 known wolves in 27 known packs including at least 15 breeding pairs. Annual wolf population surveys are conducted in the winter because wolf populations experience the least amount of natural fluctuation during this time. Counting the population at the end of each year allows for comparable year-to-year trends at a time of year when the wolf population is most stable. The year-end minimum population count for 2019 will be released in April 2020.
Reports of remote camera images or videos, wolf tracks, or sightings from the public are extremely helpful in locating previously undocumented wolf activity and potential new packs on the landscape. Please take photos of wolves or wolf sign (use some way to measure the size of a track) and upload them to the wolf reporting page via the following link: https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/observations
Definitions: A “pack” is defined as two or more wolves traveling together in winter, and a “breeding pair” is defined as at least one adult male and one adult female wolf that raised at least two pups that survived until December 31. In any given year, the number of packs will always be greater than or equal to the number of breeding pairs. The known territories and more information for each pack can be viewed by clicking the pack name.
Beaver Creek pack
On Feb. 24, WDFW staff notified U.S. Forest Service personnel of a live cow calf on a public Forest Service grazing allotment outside the grazing season within the Beaver Creek pack territory. The calf was discovered and reported during annual wolf survey operations. Staff reported the calf so that it could be safely recovered by the livestock producer.
Biologists attempted to capture wolves in this pack but were unsuccessful due to snow conditions and dense timber.
Butte Creek pack
No activity to report.
Carpenter Ridge pack
WDFW staff documented wolf activity in this pack area and deployed a trail camera for long-term monitoring.
Diobsud Creek pack
WDFW biologists searched for wolf sign and checked trail cameras in this pack area.
Dirty Shirt pack
WDFW biologists searched for wolf sign and checked trail cameras in this pack area.
Goodman Meadows pack
WDFW biologists conducted an aerial survey to count wolves in this pack territory this month.
Grouse Flats pack
WDFW biologists conducted survey efforts in this pack territory last month. This pack was involved in a confirmed wolf depredation on Feb. 3. Staff also received multiple reports of wolf tracks in the Anatone area this month.
Huckleberry pack
WDFW biologists conducted an aerial survey to count wolves in this pack territory this month. An adult female in the Huckleberry pack territory was killed by a logging truck on Feb. 12.
Leadpoint pack
WDFW staff documented wolf activity adjacent to a livestock producer’s pasture and proactively deployed fladry and Fox lights for conflict mitigation and a trail camera for long-term monitoring.
Lookout pack
WDFW biologists attempted to capture wolves in this pack but were unsuccessful due to snow conditions and dense timber. They also conducted an aerial survey to count wolves in this pack territory this month.
Loup Loup pack
WDFW biologists conducted an aerial survey to count wolves in this pack territory this month. They also attempted to capture wolves in this pack, but were unsuccessful due to snow conditions and dense timber.
On Feb. 23, WDFW staff discovered a dead cow calf on the Loomis State Forest while conducting annual wolf survey operations. The following day, WDFW staff snowmobiled an hour to the site to conduct a depredation investigation. Based on the condition of the remains, the calf likely died of starvation. There was no evidence to indicate wolves or other carnivores had killed the calf. Wolves had scavenged the hindquarters. Prior to the investigation, the calf’s owner was unknown, but ownership was determined on site from the calf’s ear tag. WDFW staff notified the livestock producer and a Department of Natural Resources staff member.
Naneum pack
WDFW staff followed up on several wolf reports in the Naneum pack territory this month in an effort to locate suitable locations to trap and place collars on wolves in this pack. Numerous cameras have been placed in the suspected territory area and track surveys are conducted on a weekly basis. No wolf conflicts have been reported in this area during the month of February.
Salmo pack
No activity to report.
Sherman pack
WDFW staff documented wolf activity in this pack area and deployed a trail camera for long-term monitoring.
Smackout pack
WDFW biologists captured and collared a three-year-old female wolf in this pack this month.
Stranger pack
WDFW staff documented wolf sign in this pack territory. Biologists searched this area with a helicopter in an effort to capture and collar pack members, but were not able to locate any wolves.
A reported dog attack in the Stranger pack territory occurred on Feb. 3. The incident was not reported to WDFW staff until Feb. 6. Upon notification of the incident, WDFW staff responded the same day and conducted a full investigation. Based on the evidence available, it is unknown whether a wolf or another canine (coyote or domestic dog) was responsible for the injuries to the dog. Staff deployed Fox lights around the landowner’s property to deter wolves. Trail cameras were deployed for ongoing monitoring. Staff also continue to maintain fladry deployed around calving pastures within the Stranger pack territory.
Any wild animal can be dangerous, particularly if it is provoked, sick, injured, protecting its young, has become accustomed to people, or has learned to associate people with food. Dog owners need to be aware of the possibility of encountering a wolf, or other carnivore, if they live in, or plan to visit, potential wolf habitat in Washington. Wolves view domestic dogs (pets, herding dogs, hunting dogs, etc.) as competitors and will protect their territory.
The following are some tips to reduce the potential for interactions between a wolf and your dog:
- Keep dogs inside or in a predator resistant kennel/fencing, especially at night.
- Install strobe or motion sensor lights around your house and outbuildings.
- Feeding deer, turkeys, and other wildlife may encourage wolves to visit your property.
- Secure pet food and garbage at residences.
- Keep your dogs leashed and under your immediate control.
- Never leave your dog unattended.
- Do not allow dogs to chase wildlife.
- If camping, store all food in wildlife resistant containers and clean up any spilled food.
- Avoid areas with concentrated wolf sign (tracks and scat).
- If a wolf barks, you have likely entered an activity center for wolves. You should leave immediately and walk back in the direction from which you came.
More information about living with wolves is available here.
Strawberry pack
WDFW staff documented wolf activity within a livestock producer’s bull pasture and confirmed a white-tailed deer was preyed upon nearby. Staff proactively deployed fladry and Fox lights to deter wolves from an adjoining calving pasture.
Teanaway pack
A landowner discovered that a horse that had died of natural causes was being scavenged by the Teanaway pack and notified WDFW of the activity. Because other livestock were in the vicinity, the carcass was removed and the wolves hazed away from the area. WDFW staff placed Fox lights near the other livestock. No additional issues have been reported in the area after the attractant was removed.
WDFW biologists captured and collared a two-year-old male wolf in this pack.
Togo pack
WDFW staff documented wolf sign in this pack territory and deployed several trail cameras for long-term monitoring. Biologists searched this area with a helicopter in an effort to capture and collar pack members, but were not able to locate any wolves.
Touchet pack
No activity to report.
Tucannon pack
No activity to report.
Wedge pack
No activity to report.
Miscellaneous/lone wolves
WDFW staff documented wolf activity in and around Vulcan Mountain in Ferry County. Several trail cameras were deployed for long-term monitoring and surveillance.
Note: The Frosty, Nason, Nc’icn, and Whitestone pack territories are within the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT) reservation and are managed under tribal authority. Information regarding these packs is proprietary and reported at the discretion of the CCT.
Mortalities
On Feb. 12, an adult female in the Huckleberry pack territory was killed by a logging truck.
Depredation activity
Please report any suspected livestock depredations or the death or harassment of wolves to the WDFW Enforcement Hotline at 1-877-933-9847.
In 2019, 85% of known wolf packs were not involved in any documented livestock depredation.
Below is a summary of packs with documented depredation activity within the past ten months (some packs have depredation history prior to the current ten-month window; this timeframe is considered based on guidance from the wolf-livestock interaction protocol (PDF)).
|
Pack |
Depredation date |
Depredation type |
Proactive non-lethals |
Ten-month window |
Agency lethal removal actions |
|
Togo |
7/24/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
5/24/20 |
|
|
|
7/29/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
5/29/20 |
|
|
|
7/31/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/31/20 |
|
|
|
8/11/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
6/11/20 |
|
|
|
8/11/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
6/11/20 |
|
|
|
8/11/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
6/11/20 |
|
|
|
8/23/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
6/23/20 |
|
|
|
8/31/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
6/30/20 |
|
|
|
9/10/19 |
Probable kill of calf |
Yes |
7/10/20 |
|
|
OPT |
7/6/19 |
Confirmed kill of cow |
Yes |
5/6/20 |
Adult male lethally removed 7/13/19 |
|
|
7/18/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/18/20 |
|
|
|
7/18/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/18/20 |
|
|
|
7/20/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
5/20/20 |
|
|
|
7/22/19 |
Probable kill of calf |
Yes |
5/22/20 |
|
|
|
7/26/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/26/20 |
|
|
|
7/26/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/26/20 |
|
|
|
7/26/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/26/20 |
|
|
|
7/31/19 |
Confirmed injury of calf |
Yes |
5/31/20 |
|
|
|
8/5/19 |
Confirmed kill of cow |
Yes |
6/5/20 |
Juvenile lethally removed 8/7/19, juvenile lethally removed 8/8/19, adult lethally removed 8/13/19, two adults and two juveniles removed 8/16/19 |
|
Grouse Flats |
7/8/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
5/8/20 |
|
|
|
7/22/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
5/22/20 |
|
|
|
8/30/19 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
6/30/20 |
|
|
|
9/12/19 |
Confirmed injury of cow |
Yes |
7/12/20 |
Adult female lethally removed 9/25/19 |
|
|
2/3/20 |
Confirmed kill of calf |
Yes |
12/3/20 |
|
|
Wedge |
6/12/19 |
Confirmed kill of cow |
Yes |
4/12/20 |
|