Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials will address gray wolf recovery at three meetings around the state.

A panel of experts will discuss the latest information from wolf population surveys and efforts to manage the growing wolf population.

Speakers include department carnivore section manager Donny Martorello, retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf specialist Carter Niemeyer and Rocky Mountain wolf coordinator Mike Jimenez.

"Wolves are a high-profile species that attract considerable public interest from people who often have opposing views," stated department game manager Dave Ware in a press release. "This is a great opportunity for people interested in gray wolves to hear from experts about the recovery of the species throughout the West."

The public meetings are scheduled for:

* Spokane: Jan. 16, 6-8 p.m., Center Place Regional Event Center, 2426 N. Discovery Place in Spokane Valley, Wash.

* Olympia: Jan. 17, 2:30 to 5 p.m., Office Building No. 2, 14th Avenue and Jefferson Street.

* Seattle: Jan. 18, 6 to 8 p.m., Magnuson Park's Garden Room, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E.

Lorna Smith, executive director of Western Wildlife Outreach, an independent wild carnivore education organization, will moderate the meetings.

Online

http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/