For Immediate Release: September 25, 2024
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Adheres to Outdated Management Practices, Issues Another Wolf Kill Order
Director approves lethal removal for the fourth time in two months
A gray wolf stands amidst tree cover, staring at the camera. Image courtesy of The Seattle Times.
Olympia, Wash.—The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind approved a wolf kill order yesterday for the lethal removal of one adult from the Couse wolf pack territory in southeast Washington.
This action serves as the fourth approved wolf kill since July 31, a stark contrast to 2023 when only two wolves were killed by the department over the course of the entire year.
In response, Wildlife for All issued the following statement:
“The values of coexistence and compassion for wildlife are not reflected in the outdated policies of regulatory agencies like WDFW,” said Michelle Lute, Ph.D., executive director of Wildlife for All. “A small but powerful interest group continues to dominate wolf management in Washington, overshadowing the views of the majority of Washingtonians who value wolves and want non-lethal, proactive solutions supported by robust science. It’s time for the state to align its actions with true wildlife conservation.”
The best available science doesn’t support lethal control. Studies have shown that even the death of a single pack leader can result in fracture of pack structure and decreased reproduction in subsequent years.
This combination of increased mortality and decreased reproduction can compromise population recovery goals over time. Furthermore, pack instability can lead to increased livestock depredations following lethal control, rather than WDFW’s intended goal of decreasing conflict.
Instead, lethal wolf control is usually a political measure to pacify ranchers who demand action following livestock attack or losses yet who typically fail to exhaust coexistence measures or to implement them proactively.
“One wolf in the Couse Pack was already killed on July 8 of this year, proving that lethal removal doesn’t work,” Lute explained. “WDFW, like all state wildlife agencies, are trustees that manage wildlife in the public trust but are derelict in those duties when they choose to kill wolves in service to private businesses operating on our public lands. WDFW must start listening to their constituents, the diverse Washingtonians that value their natural heritage. Moreover, they can no longer ignore the growing body of evidence showing that consistent non-lethal prevention is the only way to manage wolves and livestock in shared landscapes.”
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About Wildlife for All
Wildlife for All is a national organization dedicated to reforming wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. Through research, advocacy, and education, we aim to protect wildlife and ensure that policies reflect the values of all Americans.