8 | P a g e
Study.
3
In addition to collecting visual documentation through remote cameras, these
sites also are set up to collect genetic information valuable to wildlife agencies.
3. Observe the behavior and presence of all wildlife species in key habitat connectivity
areas east of Snoqualmie Pass along Interstate 90, where wildlife crossing structures are
completed, under construction, or planned for construction under the I-90 Snoqualmie
Pass East Project.
4
4. Detect transboundary wildlife activity between northeast Washington and British
Columbia with a specific focus on documenting and collecting genetic information of
Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis).
WOLF MONITORING
Since 2008 when this program's remote cameras documented the first wolf pack in Washington
in over 70 years, Conservation Northwest placed major focus on wolf recovery in Washington.
As of March 2013, Washington is home to ten confirmed wolf packs making up over 51 wolves.
5
Though the majority of these packs have established territories in eastern Washington, three
packs now reside in the North Cascades. Conservation Northwest partners with the
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement the state's wolf conservation and
management plan developed in 2011. In addition to shaping wolf policy in Washington,
Conservation Northwest through CWMP provides on-the-ground data used to better
understand the distribution of wolves across the state.
The Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, written in 2011, identifies three recovery zones
in Washington: Eastern Washington, the North Cascades, and the Southern Cascades and
Northwest Coast.
6
According to this plan, wolves will be considered recovered in the state of
Washington if there are 15 successful breeding pairs for three consecutive years. Additionally,
each recovery zone must have at least four breeding pairs for three consecutive years. To date,
there are 12 packs in Washington, none of which have been documented in the Southern
Cascades and Northwest Coast recovery zones. To address the lack of documentation in the
3
North Cascades Wolverine Study. Lead Principle Investigator: Keith Aubry (USDA Forest Service,
Pacific Northwest Research Station, Olympia, WA)
4
The I-90 Snoqualmie Pass East Project is designed to improve wildlife movement across I-90 between
Hyak and Easton. The I-90 project design includes 14 key animal-travel areas, where one or more
improvements will be made to allow for wildlife to better move across the interstate and waterways
under the interstate. Maps of the identified areas for wildlife passage can be found at:
wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/F6513B4C-12AE-43D3-ABA1-
95104CAAD29D/72075/I90_Project_Folio_ConstWeb.pdf
5
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Gray Wolf Packs Map:
wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs
6
Gary J. Wiles, Harriet L. Allen, and Gerald E. Hayes, Wolf Conservation and Management Plan: State of
Washington (Olympia, WA, USA: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, December 2011).
