Anacortes writer urges caution on wolf downlisting

Martha Hall of Anacortes wrote to the editor to question the pace of wolf recovery in Washington state. She argues that officials should wait until the species is fully established before downlisting the animals.

Hall points to 2025 data showing about 270 individual wolves living in the state. At that time, only 23 successfully breeding packs existed. None of those packs were located in the largest recovery area. Hall notes that the state plan requires successfully breeding packs in all three recovery zones to justify a status change.

The writer distinguishes between breeding packs and the general wolf population. She criticizes the state’s definition of a wolf pack, which includes two or more wolves traveling together in winter. Hall says this definition is misleading because those animals are often related or of the same sex.

Livestock losses remain a central part of the conflict. Hall cites a USDA report stating that wolves caused fewer than 0.3% of cattle deaths. In 2025, five wolf packs injured or killed a total of 19 cattle. She notes that public funds have supported non-lethal deterrents and payments for losses to owners.

Hall warns that downlisting wolves too early could reduce available resources. She says long-term recovery requires healthy breeding packs to provide dispersing wolves. Safe corridors are necessary for those animals to survive in new areas. Without them, populations may become small and isolated.