A gray wolf pack may exist in western Okanogan County, based on results of a howling survey there July 8, according to state Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists.
     During the recent survey — initiated in response to reports of wolf sightings, reports of howling and remote camera photos of possible wolves — biologists heard multiple vocalizations indicating adult and juvenile wolves were in the area, according to a state announcement.
     Biologists visited several locations making wolf-like howls, and heard multiple adult and juvenile howls in response.
     State and federal biologists will continue investigations to confirm the presence of a wolf pack, said state officials.
     If confirmed, it would be Washington’s first resident wolf pack since the species disappeared from the state in the 1930s, according to the announcement. While individual wolves have been reported in Washington, resident wolf breeding pairs or packs have not yet been confirmed.
     State biologists are working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U. S. Forest Service biologists on plans to collect DNA samples from some of the animals and equip some with radio collars.
     Biologists say wolf howls can be distinguished from vocalizations by coyotes, dogs and other animals by trained, experienced listeners. Domesticated hybrid animals do not establish in the wild, according to the biologists.
     Hearing multiple howls from juvenile and adult animals suggests the presence of a pack rather than transient, adult animals, according to state officials.
     The gray wolf is federally protected as an endangered species in the western two-thirds of the state - west of highways 97 and 17 - under the Endangered Species Act.
     The area where the howling survey was conducted is within the federal protection area, and any wolf activity will be handled under joint federal-state wolf response guidelines, according to the state announcement. Response guidelines and more information are at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/gray_wolf/.
     Gray wolves also are listed as a state endangered species throughout Washington.
     In response to the anticipated return of wolves and state management responsibility following federal de-listing of wolves in the eastern third of the state earlier this year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife began developing a conservation and management plan for the species in 2006, according to the state.
     A citizen wolf working group was appointed to advise the department in developing the plan, according to the announcement.      The draft management plan will be subject to scientific peer review later this year and a 90-day public-review process next year. The final plan will be presented to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for consideration in 2009, say state officials.
     Possible wolf sightings or activities may be reported at 1 (888) 584-9038. Those with concerns about possible wolf-caused livestock depredation can contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture wildlife services at (360) 753-9884 or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (509) 891-6839.