Protecting Wolves in the Northwest
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is finalizing a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan to determine the ways wolves are managed as they naturally return to Washington from nearby states. NPCA and the conservation movement support the creation of this plan. Finalizing this plan is the first step in a process to reestablish viable wolf populations to the state. While NPCA supports the process, there are several sections that could use improvement. Most notably, the target population of wolves for the entire state is only 15 breeding pairs. This is too low to maintain a genetically viable wolf population. On the other hand, the plan does call for translocation of wolves to areas where the animals may have difficulty migrating naturally. In particular, we support translocation to the Olympic Peninsula because of its prime wolf habitat.
After a very successful comment period, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is reviewing all the comments as well as the results of a double blind scientific review. Due to comments from individuals and organizations such as NPCA as well as the scientific review, we expect significant changes to be made. Check back here for updated information, or visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s gray wolf page.
For more information on this plan and its current status, contact:
David G. Graves
Northwest Program Manager
National Parks Conservation Association
Protecting Our National Parks for Future Generations
313-A First Ave., South
Seattle, WA 98104
206.903.1444 ext. 25
206.903.1448 (fax)
dgraves@npca.org
