Wolves are present in Oregon, marking a conservation success story after their historical absence. Their return represents a re-establishment of a native species, contributing to the ecological balance of Oregon’s diverse landscapes. This comeback highlights how wildlife populations can recover and expand their territories.
Wolves’ Return to Oregon
Gray wolves were once widespread across Oregon, but eradication efforts led to their extirpation by the mid-1940s, with the last wolf killed for a bounty in 1947. For over 50 years, Oregon’s wilderness remained without this apex predator. The natural re-colonization of wolves began in 1999 when a lone wolf, B-45F, migrated into Oregon from Idaho. This marked the first confirmed live wolf in the state in half a century, though it was returned to Idaho.
The wolves currently inhabiting Oregon are descendants of those naturally dispersing from populations reintroduced to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park in the mid-1990s. These animals gradually expanded their range westward. In 2007, a collared wolf, B-300, entered Oregon from Idaho and established roots. By July 2008, the first confirmed breeding pair and pack, the Imnaha Pack, was documented in northern Union County, with pups confirmed in 2009.
Current Wolf Population and Range
Oregon’s wolf population has grown. The minimum known count of wolves in Oregon at the end of 2024 was 204 individuals, an increase from 178 wolves reported at the end of 2023. This count, based on verified evidence like visual observations, tracks, and remote camera photographs, represents a minimum, as not all wolves are located during the annual winter count.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) documented a total of 25 wolf packs statewide in 2024, up from 22 in 2023. Seventeen packs met breeding pair criteria, meaning they consisted of an adult male and female with at least two pups surviving the year. Approximately 76% of Oregon’s wolves reside in the eastern management zone, primarily in the northeast corner of the state. Wolves have expanded into south-central and western Oregon, with new packs emerging in the West Zone. Areas of known wolf activity (AKWAs) are designated across counties like Baker, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, and Wallowa, reflecting their broadening distribution.
Managing Wolves in Oregon
Wolf management in Oregon is guided by the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, which outlines conservation objectives and addresses conflicts, particularly livestock depredation. Wolves were delisted from the state’s Endangered Species Act on November 10, 2015, following population recovery benchmarks. Their federal conservation status varies across the state. Wolves east of Highways 395-78-95 are federally delisted and state-managed. Conversely, wolves west of this line remain federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The state’s wolf management plan operates in phases, with rules adapting as the population grows and expands. These phases determine the flexibility in responding to livestock depredation incidents. ODFW encourages the use of non-lethal measures to minimize conflicts between wolves and livestock. Challenges persist, including illegal poaching and confirmed livestock depredations, continuously monitored by ODFW and law enforcement.