Howling survey may indicate wolf pack

Methow Valley News article by Joyce Campbell on agency wolf howling efforts in Okanogan County.

An interagency team of biologists is hot on the trail of what is believed to be the first wolf pack in Washington state since the 1930s.

On the night of July 8, in a remote area of western Okanogan County in the North Cascades, adult wolves and pups responded to the howling of a state wildlife biologist conducting a howling survey.

"That confirmed pups on the ground," said Scott Fitkin, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist who made the wolf-like howls and heard multiple adults and juvenile howls in response. "We got the data we wanted." Two other trained biologists were there and heard the howling.

"I’ve heard wolves. I’d never heard a pup," said Matt Monda, WDFW regional wildlife director and part of the howling survey team that night. "They have a higher pitch, not the deep howl."

The survey was initiated as part of an investigation into reports of wolf sightings, reports of howling and remote-camera photos of possible wolves, according to a WDFW press release.

WDFW, the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Conservation Northwest have been collaborating to investigate an increased number of unconfirmed reports of wolf observations and activities.

Fitkin’s team is the only research team doing howling surveys, and they don’t plan to do any more.

"We’re mostly keeping quiet and keeping disturbances low-key," said Monda. He said it’s important not to bother the wolves when they have pups. He said more howling would make the wolves curious and be disturbing to them, which would make the team’s next step more difficult.

The next step is to live-trap one or two of the canids, examine them and take DNA samples, radio-collar and track them by radio telemetry.

The DNA sample will sort out the question of whether the animals are wolves or wolf-dog hybrids.

"Verifying that is important," said Monda. "It’s the only endangered species that hybridizes with a pet." He said sometimes they escape, are turned loose or are out running. "It can be misleading."

"Typically, hybrids don’t persist in the wild," said John Rohrer, Methow Valley Ranger District biologist on the interagency effort to investigate wolf sightings. "If it’s a domestic wolf or hybrid, it’ll be seen a bunch for awhile, then disappear. If it’s wild wolves, they rely a lot on existing as a pack, living together and reproducing."

Individual wolves have been reported in Washington, but resident wolf breeding pairs or packs have not yet been confirmed, according the agency press release.

To report wolf observations or activity call the toll-free wolf reporting hotline at (888) 584-9038.

For concerns about possible wolf-caused livestock depredation, call the USDA Wildlife Services office in Moses Lake at (509) 765-7962 or the USFWS in Spokane at (509) 891-6839.