FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 25, 2022
CONTACTS:
Chris Bachman Brooks Fahy
Wildlife and Wildlands Director Executive Director
Kettle Range Conservation Group Predator Defense
cbachman@kettlerange.org brooks@predatordefense.org
509-280-8159 541-520-6003
Four Wolf Poisonings in NE Washington Remain Unpunished;
They Were a Criminal Act That Threatened Public Safety
REPUBLIC, WA – On February 18, 2022, two Stevens County Deputies on snowmobile patrol
discovered a dead wolf on Churchill Road in area of NE Washington known as The Wedge, an inverted triangle bordered on the north by Canada and on the east and west by the Columbia and Kettle Rivers, respectively. The deputies’ finding led to the discovery of three additional dead wolves. All were found on public lands with no sign of blood or bullet holes. They are believed to have been poisoned.
Unconfirmed rumors of poisoned wolves began circulating late in February, but nothing was reported in the news media. Instead, details of the wolf killings were obtained via a public records request submitted by the Kettle Range Conservation Group to the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office. The records show the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) was notified the same day. But WDFW did not share any information about the incident or ask the public for assistance.
“WDFW is often criticized for its lack of transparency around wolf management,” said Chris Bachman, Wildlife and Wildlands Director at Kettle Range Conservation Group. “I understand they likely have an investigation ongoing, but why the opacity? Why not engage the public and try to garner information? Three months have passed and the trail is now cold. There may be federal crimes involved, what is happening to bring the perpetrators to justice?”
Illegal wolf killings are not to be taken lightly. Poaching is not a victimless crime. According to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAM), the management model Washington uses, wildlife belongs to the public. This means WDFW has a fiduciary responsibility to manage wildlife for the benefit of present and future generations. According to NAM, the killing of four wolves is a crime committed against every citizen of Washington.
“Putting poison out on the landscape for any unsuspecting creature to feed on is one of the most loathsome things a person can do,” said Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense. “It’s not just about killing animals. It’s about wanting them to suffer. Poisons also pose a threat to wildlife and pets and are a public safety risk.
“Taking the law into your own hands cannot be tolerated,” said Fahy. “It’s critical that the State of Washington make an example of the criminal(s) involved. This type of crime needs to be prosecuted aggressively and include mandatory jail time. WDFW should use every tool at their disposal to catch the
perpetrators.”
“There seems to be a perception that Washington is the safest place in the United States to live if you are a gray wolf,” said Bachman. “This is not true. And what’s going on outside of the public view is very concerning.”
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