Gray Wolf Changes Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Washington state has roughly 260 Gray Wolves, in 42 packs, living within its borders, mostly in Northeastern parts of the state.
But, Washington Policy Center’s Director of Agriculture, Pam Lewison says last year’s slight decline of the wolf population isn’t likely due to neglect …
LEWISON … “Sometimes populations correct on their own. That seems to be what is happening here. That’s what the state’s biologists have said.”
And this, Lewison says is a first …
LEWISON … “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.”
So, Lewison asks, what should we be doing? …
LEWISON … “Going back and looking at how we can fix the wolf management plan because it’s never been revisited, it’s never been edited. And, you know, anyone who lives in a scientific environment knows that things change.”
Lewison says changing how we manage our wolf population could be a game-changer …
LEWISON … “This document that was created 20 years ago, is it really the best approach to how we manage wolf populations, I would argue, have argued, am arguing that the answer is no.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on managing our wolves.
