Fish and Wildlife retracts statements regarding wolf attacks

COLVILLE — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has retracted its previous statements suggesting a local rancher did not try to prevent attacks on his livestock.

The retraction issued Wednesday, June 3, was in connection with the May 19 investigation of two calves attacked by wolves in a private pasture in Stevens County in the Wedge Pack territory.

Fish and Wildlife determined the calves’ wounds were consistent with a wolf attack, likely in the 48 hours prior to the discovery of one carcas and one injured calf.

A trail camera provided images confirming the wolf attack, the agency said, noting the attack occurred in a pasture near the rancher’s home.

In the retraction, Fish and Wildlife officials said: “This update was edited to clarify that the affected livestock producer had proactive, nonlethal deterrents (calving near the producer’s home, monitoring for sick/injured livestock, carcass sanitation, human presence, and hazed wolves away during the first depredation incident) in place at the time of these depredations.”