NESPELEM—Colville Tribal Fish and Wildlife staff captured and collared a 72-pound female gray wolf, July 28, according to CTFW director Randy Friedlander in a quarterly update to the Colville Business Council’s Natural Resource Committee.
The female wolf was a member of the Colville Reservation’s Nc’icn pack and will help to study the interactions between wolves and livestock, said Friedlander.
Staff used a rubber mouthed leg hole trap, reported Friedlander.
A study through the University of Washington looks at hormone levels and cattle weight, indirect effects of wolves on cattle, using collars on both range cattle and wolves that show when the two groups come within proximity of one another.
Friedlander reported Natural Resource Committee chair Joe Somday has volunteered cattle for part of the study.
CTFW’s Eric Krausz reported there has been no cattle depredation of livestock on the reservation.
State Fish and Wildlife announced exterminating members of the Profanity Pack due to livestock depredation in the North Half of the Reservation, last week.