Washington’s wolf population increased by 20% last year, the 15th year in a row that the number of endangered gray wolves in the state has grown, according to new state figures.
Erik Molvar writes, "Clearly and obviously, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho require the adult supervision of ESA protections for wolves. Their state regulatory frameworks are purposefully designed for wolf eradication."
Oregon’s gray wolf population did not increase last year due in part to a large number of wolves killed by people, causing concern among conservationists and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials.
Because wolf management in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming has become more harmful since 2021 to individual wolves and to pack solidarity, the wildlife groups are arguing that the USFWS didn’t do a good analysis before deciding that listing was not warranted.
Last week, a helicopter crew conducting an aerial moose survey spotted three suspected wolves traveling together in northeast Nevada near Merritt Mountain, north of Elko.
FWP said it was opening another round because the department wanted to be sure it hadn’t violated state laws requiring FWP to notify county commissioners of the opportunity to comment.
On Wednesday, 15 organizations sent 60-day notices to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service saying they would sue the agency over its decision, issued Friday, that gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains don’t warrant an Endangered Species listing.