Wolves making their way to Washington

Although gray wolves were largely eradicated in Washington by the 1930s, sightings have increased since federal recovery efforts were initiated in Idaho and Montana in the mid-1990s. The success of those efforts has prompted the US Fish and Wildlife Service to propose removing gray wolf populations from the federal list of endangered species in three states and parts of four other states, including Washington.

A Wolf Conservation and Management Plan

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is developing a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan to address wolf management in the state after the expected removal of the wolf from the federal list of endangered species. While the state will not reintroduce wolves, the species is expected to reestablish in Washington on its own as wolf numbers increase in neighboring states and Canada.

To prepare for the return of wolves, a citizen working group, including stakeholders from livestock, timber, conservation, sportsmen, local government, and recreation interests, has been meeting since early 2007 to advise WDFW in drafting their plan. Derrick Knowles represents Conservation Northwest on the group.

Since the gray wolf is also designated a state endangered species in Washington, the final plan must identify population objectives and appropriate conservation and management strategies. Additional public review opportunities will be available once a draft wolf conservation and management plan is developed. A final plan is expected to be completed by June 30, 2008.