Killing of 7 wolves cost Washington state $135,000

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Washington wildlife managers spent $135,000 to fatally shoot seven of 11 wolves that had attacked cattle in northeast Washington.


The Spokesman-Review reports (https://goo.gl/OdCNTp ) the Department of Fish and Wildlife released a 200-page report on last year's effort to remove the Profanity Peak wolf pack, blamed for several attacks on livestock.

The agency reported helicopter and staff time for the aerial gunning made up most of the spending while $10,000 was paid to an area trapper.

Officials say the goal of the action was to stop predations on livestock and that the remaining wolves would be killed if attacks continued.

The agency followed a protocol of hazing efforts before targeting the pack for extermination in August.

Wolf advocate groups say the state could have done more to prevent conflicts that led to the wolves being killed.