Washington wolf population reaches highest level in years

By the numbers: Washington's gray wolf population was 17% higher in December than a year earlier, when 230 of the animals were reported statewide, according to the report from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Context: Gray wolves are native to Washington. But they had virtually disappeared from the state by the 1930s after being killed for their hides and as part of predator-control programs, the report says.

• They're now considered federally endangered in the western two-thirds of the state, while Washington law classifies them as endangered statewide.
• Under state law, killing a gray wolf could get you fined $5,000 or sentenced to up to one year in jail.

What's next: For gray wolves to be removed from the state endangered list, multiple breeding pairs would need to settle in the state's southern Cascades and northwest coast recovery region.

• Right now, no breeding pairs have been spotted there.
• The state's other two wolf recovery regions have met their goals.