The question of whether wolves roam the forests of Maryland today is common, often sparked by the idea of large predators returning to the eastern United States. The answer is no: there are currently no established, breeding populations of wolves in Maryland. Despite occasional reports of large canids, the state is not home to any recognized wolf packs. While the topic of large predator rewilding is gaining attention, the immediate future does not include a return of wolves to the Free State.
Current Status of Wolves in Maryland
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources lists the gray wolf as extirpated from the state, meaning the species no longer exists there in the wild. The state does not contain established packs or reproductive activity to constitute a wolf population. Any confirmed sighting of a true wolf would be considered extremely rare, typically involving a non-resident animal.
A transient individual, usually a young male dispersing from a distant population like those in Canada or the Great Lakes region, could pass through the state. Such an occurrence would be a biological outlier and not an indication of a recovering local population. More often, reports of a wolf are a result of mistaken identity or involve an escaped captive animal.
Historical Presence and Extirpation
Before European settlement, Maryland was part of the historical range for wolves, likely the Eastern Gray Wolf or possibly the Red Wolf in the southern region. These large canids were integral parts of the ecosystem, maintaining balance by preying on large herbivores like elk and deer. The timeline of their disappearance is directly tied to the changing landscape and attitudes of the settlers.
The extirpation process began with widespread habitat loss as forests were cleared for agriculture and human development. This loss was compounded by organized efforts to eliminate predators to protect livestock. Governments and local authorities instituted predator control efforts, including bounties, which incentivized the hunting and killing of wolves.
By the mid-1800s, wolves were effectively gone from the region. The last confirmed wolf in Maryland was eliminated around this time, marking the end of the species’ presence in the state. This removal created an ecological vacuum now filled by smaller, more adaptable canids.
Identifying Look-Alikes
The primary reason for public inquiries about wolves is the frequent misidentification of a common resident: the Eastern Coyote. Coyotes first appeared in Maryland around 1972 and have since spread throughout all counties, occupying the ecological niche left vacant by the absence of wolves. These Eastern Coyotes are physically distinct from their Western counterparts.
The Eastern Coyote is often colloquially called the “Coywolf” due to its genetic history. Genetic studies show this eastern population carries a small percentage of wolf DNA, acquired through historical interbreeding. This hybridization results in a larger, more robust animal, weighing 30 to 40 pounds compared to the 20 to 35 pounds of a pure Western Coyote.
True wolves are much larger, weighing 80 to 120 pounds as adults. Physical features offer clear differentiation: wolves have broader, more blocky heads, shorter muzzles, and shorter, rounder ears. Coyotes, conversely, have a more fox-like build, appearing leaner with a more pointed muzzle and larger, pointed ears.
Another distinguishing feature is the tail carriage. A wolf’s tail hangs straight down, while a coyote typically carries its tail lower, often tucked between its legs when running. Therefore, the large, wild canid seen in Maryland is almost certainly the hybrid Eastern Coyote.