Inslee Asks WDFW To Kill Fewer Wolves In NE Washington

Governor Jay Inslee is asking the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife to kill fewer wolves in the northeast corner of the state.  In a letter written to Director Kelly Susewind this week, Inslee asked that changes be made to the gray wolf recovery program to increase the reliance on non-lethal methods and to “significantly” reduce the need of lethal removal of wolves.  Inslee said the current Wolf Plan has contributed to the recovery of the gray wolf in Washington and should serve as a model.

However, he said lethal removal of wolves in the Kettle River Range has resulted in “public concern and outrage” over actions taken by WDFW.  Inslee said he shares in the public’s concern, adding the Wolf Plan does not appear to be working as intended.  He added the state must look for other strategies that better support co-existence between Washington’s livestock industry and gray wolves.

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