The Washington gray wolf population has seen its first-ever decline since the animals were reintroduced to the state nearly two decades ago.
Roughly 260 wolves, in 42 packs, now roam mostly in the northeastern part of Washington, but one industry leader says that the drop is not necessarily cause for alarm.
According to Pam Lewison, Ag Director at the Washington Policy Center, “Sometimes populations correct on their own. That seems to be what is happening here. That’s what the state’s biologists have said.”
She says that it marks a turning point for wolf recovery in the state.
“After years of exponential increases, year-over-year, since the first gray wolf was detected in the state in 2007, this is the first time ever that there has been a reported population decline.”
Lewison says that the trend underscores the need to revisit Washington’s decades-old wolf management plan.
