I thought it was already a near act of God to get approval anymore to lethally remove a wolf so I figured it had to be pretty real to need to take one. Yet WWF has found a way to prevent our WDFW from doing its job....
https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/at-risk/species-recovery/gray-wolf/updates/court-approves-request-temporary-restraining-order-prevent-sherman-wolf-removalCourt approves request for temporary restraining order to prevent Sherman wolf removal
Publish date
Oct. 14, 2025
Today, Oct. 14, 2025, a King County Superior Court commissioner entered a temporary restraining order that prohibits the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from lethally removing one wolf from the Sherman pack in Ferry County.
As a result, the Department cannot remove a wolf from the Sherman pack as authorized by WDFW Deputy Director Amy Windrope on Oct. 9, 2025. Information about the authorization appears in a separate update.
Washington Wildlife First and other parties filed the initial petition for injunction and motion for a temporary restraining order after the Department announced the Deputy Director’s authorization.
King County Superior Court commissioner Mark Hillman found that the petitioners had met the criteria for temporary injunctive relief. The court will hold a preliminary injunction hearing on Oct. 28, 2025.
WDFW’s 2011 Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (PDF) and wolf-livestock interaction protocol (PDF)provide guidance on addressing wolf-livestock conflict, including lethal removal to address patterns of depredation, such as when department staff confirms three predations by wolves on livestock within 30 days or four within 10 months, where non-lethal deterrents have not prevented wolf-livestock conflict.
