Tag Archives: Washington

Wolf population in Washington likely larger than estimates

February 5, 2019Environmental Issues, NewsWashington, wolf recoverynfpa

Looks like the wolf population in Washington State may be doing better then anyone thought . . .

The number of wolves in Washington state is likely much higher than previously thought, according to a University of Washington researcher who spent two years studying the animals using scat-sniffing dogs.

Samuel Wasser said his dogs detected 95 wolves in one area of Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, in the rural northeast corner of the state, during the 2016-17 season. That approached the total number of wolves wildlife officials estimated for the entire state.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife a year ago estimated Washington had a minimum of 122 wolves, grouped in at least 22 packs, and 14 successful breeding pairs.

Researchers plan wolverine study across four western states

May 22, 2016Environmental Issues, NewsIdaho, Montana, North Dakota, Washington, wolverines, Wyomingnfpa

Wolverine in snow - Steve Kroschel — Wolverine in snow – Steve Kroschel

A wide-ranging wolverine study starts up next winter . . .

Researchers are working on a plan to study wolverines in four Rocky Mountain states to see if the animals that look like small bears with big claws can be reintroduced to some regions to boost their numbers and see how they might travel between mountain ranges.

Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Washington state are working together because there are so few wolverines and they are spread across a wide area, a researcher with Montana’s wildlife agency said.

“It doesn’t occur that often that four states start to think about managing a species together,” said Bob Inman, carnivore and fur bearer coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Smoke overhead coming from Central Washington fires

August 1, 2015Fire Information and Status, Newssmoke, Washington, wildfiresnfpa

In case you’re wondering, that pall of smoke drifting through our area at a fairly high altitude is from fires in Central Washington State.

Here’s the overhead imagery showing the smoke plume:

Satellite view of smoke plume from Central Washington - morning of August 1, 2015 — Satellite view of smoke plume from Central Washington – morning of August 1, 2015

Wolves making comeback in Eastern Washington

March 7, 2015Environmental Issues, Newsgray wolves, Washington, wolf recoverynfpa

Gray wolves seem to be making a steady recovery in Eastern Washington . . .

The state says Washington’s wolf population grew by more than 30 percent last year and formed four new packs.

The annual survey by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found at least 68 gray wolves in the state through Dec. 31, 2014. That was up from at least 52 wolves counted in 2013.

The state also found there are now 16 wolf packs and at least five successful breeding pairs.

Read more . . .

Nuisance moose

February 23, 2015Newsmoose, Washington, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlifenfpa

This is kind of interesting. Near Spokane, Washington, they have issues with nuisance moose and employ many of the same techniques we use around here to deal with nuisance bears . . .

To euthanize or tranquilize? That is the question state wildlife officials must ask as a last resort when moose become a high-risk threat to humans. Spokane officers have had to answer the question several times this winter.

“Each case is different,” Capt. Dan Rahn of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife police said. “Putting a moose down or capturing and moving it away are both difficult decisions we’d rather not have to make. Public safety is our main concern.”

The Fish and Wildlife office in Spokane receives hundreds of moose-related calls or complaints a year, Rahn said.

Read more . . .

Feds may restore grizzlies to North Cascades

February 17, 2015Environmental Issues, Newsbear recovery, grizzly bears, North Cascades, Washingtonnfpa

Looks like Washington’s Cascade Range may be getting some grizzly bears . . .

A tentative federal proposal to restore grizzly bears in the North Cascades will be explained at public meetings next month.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service are taking public comments for an environmental impact statement before deciding whether to take an active role in restoring the grizzly bear to the North Cascades Ecosystem…

The North Cascades ecosystem encompasses 9,800 square miles in the United States and another 3,800 square miles in British Columbia. The United States portion includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan national recreation areas plus the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie national forests.

Read more . . .