WASHINGTON STATE --- Wolves attacking cattle and farmers livelihood. It's a scenario cattlemen say is more likely if the state decides to allow more than seven times the wolves in the state.
"They kill for the thrill of killing," Cattleman Steve Wallace started, "They don't just kill to eat." Yakima and Kittitas County cattlemen say they've already seen what wild animals can do. "I've had coyotes, which are quite a bit smaller than wolves, kill calves," Vic Stokes told Action News.
There are only two confirmed wolf packs in the state. But environmental groups are pushing to protect wolves until there are 15. "We're concerned the number is far too high," Washington Cattlemen's Association executive vice president, Jack Field stated.
When a similar wolf protection order happened in the Yellowstone National Park a few years ago, the elk population was cut to a third. But the Department of Fish and Wildlife calls the plan for wolves in Washington a, "much better distribution plan" than that.
Justin Waddington with the Yakima County Cattlemen's Association. "You're talking people's livelihood," he warned. But herdsmen still fear, even if the wolves don't kill all their cattle, the extra presence could spook the animals enough to make them not want to eat or to be unable to breed. Cost estimates for the monitoring, research, and killed animal compensation for the wolves could top 800 thousand dollars a year to the state. "It's impossible to prove all of the loss," Wallace added as a concern.
Environmental groups say wolves are a part of the Washington heritage and it's up to wolves to keep moose, elk, and deer populations in check. But the Farm Bureau and Cattlemen's Association are now trying to find ways to make sure their cattle population isn't risked as well.
You have until the 8th of January to submit any comments to the state about the proposal. Go to our links section to find out how.
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