Fish and Wildlife shoots the wrong wolf, other attacks confirmed

Wolves from two northeastern Washington state packs attacked more livestock, prompting the Department of Fish and Wildlife to consider trying again to cull Smackout’s pack after a failed attempt on last month.

Fish and Wildlife officials confirmed Thursday that the Smackout pack injured a calf on a private pasture in Stevens County, Capital Press reported. Officials said the pack also injured a calf on Monday and likely attacked another on September 26.

The pack has attacked at least 11 head of cattle since Aug. 17, according to Fish and Wildlife’s tally.

State biologists attempted to kill a wolf from that pack in early September, but from a helicopter they accidentally shot a pup that likely 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 in the process of determining whether to try again.

Two members of the Leadpoint wolf pack were killed by state biologists last week in an effort to prevent the pack from preying on livestock in the same county, officials have said previously.

As of Dec. 31, 2021, the department said 206 wolves in 33 packs live in Washington. The numbers increased from 2020, when 178 wolves in 29 packs were counted.

This story was originally published October 6, 2022 9:40 p.m.