Fish and Wildlife shoots wrong wolf, more attacks confirmed
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Wolves from two packs in northeast Washington state have attacked more cattle, prompting the Department of Fish and Wildlife to consider whether to again try culling the Smackout pack after a botched attempt last month.
Fish and Wildlife officials confirmed Thursday that the Smackout pack wounded a calf in a private Stevens County pasture, the Capital Press reported. Officials said the pack also injured a calf Monday and probably attacked another on Sept. 26.
The pack has attacked at least 11 head of cattle since Aug. 17, according to Fish and Wildlife’s count.
State biologists tried to kill one wolf from that pack in early September, but from a helicopter accidentally shot a pup that probably belonged to another pack, officials said.
The pup was near a collared wolf from the Smackout pack, according to Fish and Wildlife.
Agency spokeswoman Staci Lehman said the state is determining whether to try again.
Two members of the Leadpoint wolf pack were killed by state biologists last week in an effort to stop the pack from preying on cattle in the same county, officials said previously.
As of Dec. 31, 2021, the department said 206 wolves in 33 packs lived in Washington. The numbers grew from 2020, when 178 wolves in 29 packs were counted.
