Washington state to resume wolf killings after additional calf attacks

OLYMPIA, Wash. — State officials will resume efforts to kill the remaining members of a wolf pack in northeastern Washington after finding two calf carcasses and an injured calf.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday a wolf attacked the injured calf and it's probable that wolves killed two others.

Since mid-July, officials have confirmed that wolves have killed or injured six cattle and probably five others.

WDFW Director Jim Unsworth authorized staff to remove the Profanity Peak wolf pack to prevent additional attacks on cattle in the rangelands between Republic and Kettle Falls.

State wildlife officials shot two pack members Aug. 5, but ended efforts after two weeks passed without finding more evidence of wolf predation on cattle.

Officials say removing the entire pack may prove challenging because of rugged, timbered landscape.

Earlier this summer, WDFW determined the pack had at least 11 members.

Associated Press