REPUBLIC, WA – A King County Superior Court commissioner has temporarily blocked the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) from killing a wolf in Ferry County’s Sherman pack.

The restraining order, issued Oct. 14, 2025, prevents the agency from carrying out an authorization granted five days earlier by WDFW Deputy Director Amy Windrope. The department had planned to remove one wolf in response to repeated livestock depredations.

The order was requested by Washington Wildlife First and other petitioners following WDFW’s announcement of the lethal removal authorization. Commissioner Mark Hillman ruled that the petitioners met the legal standard for temporary injunctive relief.

A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Windrope, acting while WDFW Director Kelly Susewind is out of office, authorized the removal on Oct. 9 under provisions of the state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan and wolf-livestock interaction protocol. The agency cited six confirmed depredation events in the past ten months and continued risk of conflict between wolves and cattle through November.

WDFW reported that the affected livestock producer had implemented multiple nonlethal deterrents, including daily range riding, human presence, delayed turnout of calves, and removal of non-ambulatory livestock. The agency noted concerns over inconsistent carcass sanitation but said staff believed no additional deterrents were available.

The lethal removal authorization was set to expire Oct. 15. With the restraining order in place, no action can be taken unless the court lifts the restriction.