Wolves in the Togo pack in northern Ferry County have attacked two cows over the last week, one of which died, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The attacks bring the pack’s total number of depredations over the last 10 months to five – there were two in November 2017 and one in May.
Officials found a dead adult cow with bite lacerations Wednesday near Danville, Wash. There were signs of a struggle down a steep hill near the cow’s body along with wolf activity in the area, according to WDFW.
A 350-pound calf that was owned by the same producer was found attacked a day later. The calf had bite lacerations on its hamstrings and left flank, and puncture wounds and hemorrhaging to its left hindquarter and stomach. The calf was with another adult cow, which was uninjured.
Based on the injuries of the cow and the calf, wildlife officials determined they were the result of a wolf attack.
The Togo pack, which has at least two adult wolves, was first documented in 2016. The pair produced an unknown number of pups this spring, and WDFW has gotten reports of a third adult wolf with the pack but has not confirmed it.
WDFW said it plans to learn as much as possible about the pack before considering further action.
The Center for Biological Diversity said it was prepared to seek a temporary restraining order if WDFW ordered a kill action.
