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Last week, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind authorized the lethal removal of one to two wolves from the Leadpoint pack in northern Stevens County. Thursday’s announcement came in response to repeated depredations of cattle on private grazing lands. Since August 7th, WDFW staff have conducted multiple depredations, leading to six livestock injuries and deaths. The Department adds proactive and responsive non-lethal deterrents used by the affected livestock producer in the area this grazing season have not curtailed further depredations.

Susewind's decision is consistent with the guidance of the state's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and the lethal removal provisions of the Department's 2017 wolf-livestock interaction protocol.

In addition to the Leadpoint removal, early last week Susewind reauthorized the lethal removal of one to two wolves from the Wedge pack, also in northern Stevens County.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com

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