Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Releases Annual Wolf Report

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) released its annual wolf report today. The reported counts include 137 individual wolves, 16 packs (four or more wolves traveling together in the winter), and 15 breeding pairs (male and female adults who raised at least two pups that survived through the end of the year) from those 16 packs. This is an increase of 13 individual wolves, four recognized packs, and four breeding pairs from the previous year.

Dr. Sristi Kamal, Oregon senior representative for Defenders of Wildlife, issued this statement:

“Defenders of Wildlife is encouraged by another year of steady and modest growth in Oregon’s wolf population. But wolves in Oregon are still very much in recovery. The current revision and update of the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan is more important than ever if this recovery trend is to continue. As wolves disperse throughout the state, it is also critical that we continue to focus on non-lethal tools and techniques. That’s why Defenders of Wildlife has been working directly with communities to help them share the landscape with wolves. In light of federal attempts to strip wolves of protections, we are counting on Oregon to show leadership in wolf conservation and embrace the values of coexistence.”