Conservation Northwest

Conservation Northwest updates Inside Conservation Northwest View from the Director A good year for wildlife 2011 has been generally a good year for the endangered wildlife that Conservation Northwest. While wolves, wolverines, and fishers are all involved in the Occupy Movement, asserting their presence in new territory, the evidence runs contrary to them being in the underprivileged 99% at present. For Washington's wolves, statistics indicate that 2011 was a boom year with rapid expansion of the wolf economy, zero unemployment, and—in stark contrast to recent years, when most of the Lookout pack was likely killed by poachers—a murder rate of apparently zero. We began the year with three confirmed wolf packs: two in the far northeast corner of the state, and the erstwhile Lookout pack broken up and without a breeding pair. That grew to five packs this summer. With confirmation of the new Teanaway and Smackout packs, and recorded wolf activity in several additional areas, clearly this was a bull market for wolves. As we go to press, we have high hopes that on December 3rd the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will adopt a strong statewide Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, culminating a long process in which Conservation Northwest has been deeply involved. And the White family, alleged to have illegally killed several members of the Lookout Pack, are now defending themselves at trials in both state and federal courts. Fishers continue to occupy the Olympic Peninsula, with news this year of continued reproduction, use of an unexpectedly broad range of habitat, and few mortalities. Life is so good for these fishers in this growth environment that they're not only at full employment, but their prospects may be as good as those of Wall Street bankers. Wolverines are also in an expansionary phase, as their recolonization of the Cascades apparently continues. Experts considered wolverines possibly extirpated from the area as recently as a decade ago, but sightings and radio telemetry continue to document their use of spacious accommodations as far south as Mount Adams. The year 2011 also saw a successful reintroduction of pronghorn antelope on the Yakama Indian Reservation. While Conservation Northwest was not involved, we are thrilled for many reasons, including what this returned prey species will do for consumer confidence among wolves. It's been a bear market for grizzlies, despite a run-up in the spring upon news of the first photo confirmation of a grizzly bear in the North Cascades in over 40 years. Despite abundant opportunities in rich habitat, concern continues that grizzly bears will not be able to raise their own prospects without a government bailout in the form of a few bears moved into the Cascades from elsewhere to augment the local stock. On the whole, this was a great year for top level carnivores in Washington, with an even better outlook for 2012. The picture is less rosy for mid-level carnivores that will have to compete with the returning megafauna. Ungulates and livestock are expressing concern, but analysts at Conservation Northwest are assuring the market that if we all work together the return of wildlife and ecological health will be for the good and prosperity of people and wildlife in the New Year. Thanks so much for your support. Keeping the Northwest wild Mitch Friedman. Photo by Erin Moore "Analysts at Conservation Northwest are assuring the market that if we all work together, the return of wildlife and ecological health will be for the good and prosperity of people and wildlife in the New Year." Winter 2012 3

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