ENDANGERED SPECIES -- Washington Fish and Wildlife officials this morning said an enforcement officer from out of the region continues to hunt for a second wolf to kill from the Wedge Pack after he shot a female wolf Tuesday.

The wolves are thought to be culpable in several attacks on Diamond M Ranch cattle near Laurier, Wash., since mid-July.

Agency officials from Olympia today asked that I remove a photo used with my blog posted Tuesday night because it showed a state biologist carrying a male wolf that had been caught, tranquilized, radio-collared and released.  In their request they pointed out:

• The biologist who's been live-trapping wolves for tagging and monitoring is not involved in the current operation to kill livestock-attacking wolves.
• The male wolf that was collared with a GPS tracking device is considered to be the pack's alpha male and is not being targeted for lethal removal.

However, the GPS-collared male likely is giving the officer clues to the whereabouts of the rest of the pack.

Officials said an unidentified officer from out of the region was brought in because they want to avoid possible retribution by wolf zealots who might target -- with harassment or violence -- the man assigned to do the dirty work of enforcing the state's wolf management plan.