Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind has issued a kill order for two wolves from a new pack that has preyed on cattle on federal grazing lands in Ferry County.

The wolves, members of the Old Profanity Territory (OPT) pack, have preyed on livestock that were grazing on public lands but under Washington’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, they can be killed for doing so. The Plan was designed to foster coexistence between native wildlife and livestock, yet WDFW seems to be working to protect privately owned cows on public lands, rather than working to “preserve, protect, and perpetuate” wildlife.

These kill orders, while cruel and in violation of the desires of a majority of Americans, also are not working. The OPT wolves reside on land that was once home to the Profanity Peak pack, a family that was obliterated by WDFW officials in 2016. Their goal was to stop livestock attacks in the area despite scientific studies suggesting killing wolves results in an increase in attacks, rather than a decrease. Two years later, WDFW is killing wolves in the exact same area.

Sounds like the wolves are doing what wolves are supposed to do and on rugged federal forest land… So why are they still targets, year after year?