After four years of development and public review, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted a plan that will guide state conservation and management of gray wolves in Washingtonstate.

Key provisions of the plan establish recovery objectives for gray wolves in three regions in Washington, along with procedures for addressing predation on livestock and impacts on deer and elk.

Once abundant in the Pacific Northwest, gray wolves are currently classified by the state as endangered throughout Washington. There are five documented wolf packs in the state – three in northeasternWashington and two in the Cascade Mountains.

Miranda Wecker, chair of the citizen commission which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said, “The goal is that wolves will no longer need special status in our state and can be managed as part of the overall ecosystem.”

The draft Wolf Conservation and Management Plan is posted onWDFW’s website at www.wdfw.wa.gov.  The final plan, incorporating amendments adopted by the commission, will be posted on the site by mid-January.