Washington Weighs in on Wolf Management Plan
Published on Wed, Nov 4, 2009 by Chris ThomasRead More County & State
MT. VERNON, Wash. - If you hear howling this week, it's more likely to
be a rancher or conservationist than a wolf. The Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is taking public comments on a final draft
of its plan to manage the gray wolf population in the state.
Some believe the four alternatives being proposed don't go far enough to support a healthy wolf population. They would require only 15 breeding pairs statewide in order to remove wolves from state protection. David Graves, Northwest field representative of the National Parks Conservation Association, says that number is too low to ensure their survival.
"Some scientists have said we need 300 or more wolves; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has said 500 or more wolves is a good population to help enhance viability. So, we don't know what the exact number should be -- but it definitely needs to be higher than 15 breeding pairs for the entire state."
There are now two confirmed wolf packs in the state, both in Eastern Washington. Ranchers are concerned that more wolves will mean more livestock deaths, although Graves says that doesn't have to be the case, and the WDFW proposals already address the issue.
"There are lots of non-lethal means out there that can prevent wolves -- or at least, deter them -- from attacking livestock. Furthermore, for producers that have over 100 acres, if one of their cattle is killed by a wolf, they will get twice the value of that cow in compensation."
Graves says his organization and others are also recommending that wolves be moved into wilder spots, like Olympic National Park, where they used to be a natural part of the ecosystem and could thrive with less chance of a livestock encounter.
The public hearings have been well attended, and they continue this week and next. The remaining meetings are being held tonight (Wed., Nov. 4) in Mount Vernon; on Thursday (Nov. 5) in Sequim; next Monday (Nov. 9) in Omak and Tuesday (Nov. 10) in Wenatchee.
The schedule and draft plan can be viewed online at www.wdfw.wa.gov, where comments can also be submitted.
Some believe the four alternatives being proposed don't go far enough to support a healthy wolf population. They would require only 15 breeding pairs statewide in order to remove wolves from state protection. David Graves, Northwest field representative of the National Parks Conservation Association, says that number is too low to ensure their survival.
"Some scientists have said we need 300 or more wolves; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has said 500 or more wolves is a good population to help enhance viability. So, we don't know what the exact number should be -- but it definitely needs to be higher than 15 breeding pairs for the entire state."
There are now two confirmed wolf packs in the state, both in Eastern Washington. Ranchers are concerned that more wolves will mean more livestock deaths, although Graves says that doesn't have to be the case, and the WDFW proposals already address the issue.
"There are lots of non-lethal means out there that can prevent wolves -- or at least, deter them -- from attacking livestock. Furthermore, for producers that have over 100 acres, if one of their cattle is killed by a wolf, they will get twice the value of that cow in compensation."
Graves says his organization and others are also recommending that wolves be moved into wilder spots, like Olympic National Park, where they used to be a natural part of the ecosystem and could thrive with less chance of a livestock encounter.
The public hearings have been well attended, and they continue this week and next. The remaining meetings are being held tonight (Wed., Nov. 4) in Mount Vernon; on Thursday (Nov. 5) in Sequim; next Monday (Nov. 9) in Omak and Tuesday (Nov. 10) in Wenatchee.
The schedule and draft plan can be viewed online at www.wdfw.wa.gov, where comments can also be submitted.
