COLVILLE, WA – A possible wolf sighting near Colville High School and Dominion Meadows Golf Club on April 1 has prompted an investigation by the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

According to the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, the animal was first reported around 5:30 p.m. A wildlife specialist responded to the scene and used hazing methods to safely encourage the animal to leave the area.

Photos and video of the animal were reviewed by WDFW wolf specialists, who noted the canine was wearing a collar. However, the collar did not resemble the radio collars typically used by biologists to monitor wolves in Washington. These collars gather location data daily but do not transmit in real-time and cannot be used to actively track the animal’s movements.

WDFW biologists confirmed there was no data indicating any collared wolves were in the area at the time of the sighting. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office is working to determine whether any domestic dogs resembling a wolf might be in the vicinity, though no such reports have been received.

Officials noted that known wolf activity had been recorded in the area earlier in March. Until further evidence emerges, the Sheriff’s Office is treating the April 1 incident as a wolf sighting. The animal reportedly showed no signs of aggression toward humans and appeared to be hunting for ground squirrels.

While sightings of wolves near populated areas are rare, they can occur. Wildlife officials advise that if someone encounters a wolf, they should not run or turn their back. Instead, individuals are encouraged to slowly back away while maintaining eye contact, make themselves appear larger, and use loud noises to deter the animal.

For more information on wolves in the state, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolves in Washington webpage.