Wildlife advocates skeptical of WA wolf count

With a controversial vote planned July 19 on whether to loosen protections for wolves in Washington, wildlife advocates are raising the alarm that officials could be relying on flawed wolf count figures from a tribe in the northeast corner of the state.

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission members have been told by agency staff that wolves have made an impressive recovery — to the point that their “endangered” status is no longer required. The state’s latest population report recorded an increase of 44 wolves last year, the largest in state history.

ith a controversial vote planned July 19 on whether to loosen protections for wolves in Washington, wildlife advocates are raising the alarm that officials could be relying on flawed wolf count figures from a tribe in the northeast corner of the state.

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission members have been told by agency staff that wolves have made an impressive recovery — to the point that their “endangered” status is no longer required. The state’s latest population report recorded an increase of 44 wolves last year, the largest in state history.

https://crosscut.com/environment/2024/07/wildlife-advocates-skeptical-wa-wolf-count