Statisticians counter WSU prof’s findings that killing wolves does more harm than good

A Washington State University professor erred in controversial research released in 2014 suggesting that killing wolves that attack cattle is counterproductive because it stimulates more attacks, according to a statistical analysis released today. Working with a Ph.D. statistician, the Washington Policy Center analyzed the data provided by Dr. Robert Wielgus and found several problems with conclusions that are widely used by critics of Washington's wolf management, especially in cases where wolves are killed. "Rather than support his hypothesis, his own data point in the opposite direction, supporting the state’s policy of removing wolves when there is a conflict and undermining Wielgus’ own hypothesis," says Todd Myers of Seattle-based WPC, a conservative think tank that promotes public policy based on free-market solutions...more