Oregon Wolf Numbers Surge Anew To At Least 204

Oregon’s wolf population grew to a minimum of 204 wolves across the state at the end of 2024, an increase of 15 percent over the previous tally, according to the just-released annual report.

ODFW also counted 25 packs, 17 of which were breeding pairs – both figures are up from 2023’s 22 and 15, respectively – and there were another 18 groups of two or three wolves compared to 13 the year before.

The agency also reports five new packs in its Western Management Zone, marking continued westward expansion of the species in the Beaver State and bringing the percentage of wolves living in that part of Oregon to 24 percent. The number of breeding pairs there jumped from three to seven.

“We reached an important threshold in 2024 by documenting seven breeding pairs of wolves in the West Zone, which demonstrates habitat connectivity and the continued expansion of wolves’ range in the state,” said Roblyn Brown, ODFW Wolf Program Coordinator. “Our focus remains on reducing the burden on livestock producers, which is crucial for the long-term conservation of wolves in Oregon.

Last year’s increase followed a period of flat wolf numbers – Cascadia Wildlands termed it “years of stagnation” – just shy of 180, due in part to 10 being captured for Colorado reintroductions in late 2023, as well as poaching and other factors.

Mortalities were also down in 2024 compared to 2023, 26 versus 36. Eleven of those were classified as chronic livestock depredation removals, seven are under investigation as illegal kills, four were due to natural or unknown causes, three were caught-in-the-act takes and one got hit on I-84 in Union County.

While overall livestock attack events were down slightly from 2023, 69 confirmed depredations versus 73, wolves were confirmed to have killed the most sheep on record in modern times, 62 individuals. They also killed five cows and 24 calves – the fewest since 2021 – as well as injured 16 calves, three guardian dogs and two sheep.

And the state Department of Agriculture granted $789,565 last year, up more than $300,000 over 2024. Sixty-one percent of the money was used for nonlethal preventative measures.