4-10-2019
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Some lawmakers are expressing concerns about wolves migrating into western Washington.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife announced last week that a pair of wolves had been documented living in Skagit County for the first time.
The agency supports a Wolf Management and Conservation plan with a goal of eight breeding pairs in the Cascades.
Republican State Senator Keith Wagoner, representing Washington’s 39th legislative district that covers most of Skagit and Snohomish County, says that’s a bad idea.
“We have already witnessed the havoc wrecked on wild game populations, domestic livestock and even family pets in eastern Washington and Montana,” Wagoner says.
He believes an increase in wolves will also worsen the existing elk problems as the elks would seek safety from the wolves on the agricultural valley floor.