Washington’s gray wolves population declined if slightly increased, according to estimates released Saturday by Washington’s fish and wildlife.
At the end of 2024, the agency estimated 230 wolves were in Washington, with 43 packs and 18 breeding pairs. Overall population estimates fell 9% compared to 2023 when the state’s wolf numbers were 254 in 42 packs in 24 breeding pairs.
“The state’s wolf population rose by an average of 20% from the first wolf survey in 2008 to 2024,” statewolf expert Ben Maletske said in a news release. “Despite the decline in population across the state, pack numbers increased in the North Cascade in 2024, with both the North Cascade and the recovery areas of Washington continuing to meet or exceed recovery targets for the fifth consecutive year.”
In southeastern Washington, the Couse Pack had at least four members, eight in the Columbia Pack, nine in the Grouse Flats Pack, and a minimum of four in the Tucannon Pack.
Butte Creek, Couss, Columbia and Groe Flat Packs were among 18 people recorded as successful puppies known as breeding pairs. The number of packs that produce and raise puppies that survived the year fell 25% between 2023 and 2024.
The department tallied 37 wolves fatalities. Of these, 19 were taken to tribe members, and four were killed by the agency to attack livestock. This includes two from the Couse Pack, with seven people being illegally killed.
The wolves were involved in 40 documented attacks on livestock, resulting in the deaths of 17 cows and one domestic dog. The two calves were likely killed by wolves, with 26 cows injured by wolves, and the wolves were the cause of the injury to another 10 cows.
A conservation group center for biodiversity called Drop Dramatic.
“The disturbing drop shows that the Fish and Wildlife Commission rejects last year’s proposal to reduce state-level protection for wolves in Washington,” Amalok Weiss, advocate for the group’s senior wolves, said in a news release.
Last year, the department recommended that wolves become sensitive after being painted to extinction under state law. However, the committee rejected the move.
On the southeast corner of the state, Anaton’s cattle rancher Jay Holtzmiller said the sector’s estimates might well be embarrassed about the actual number of wolves on the ground.
“It’s a minimum and you need to remember that there are really good odds. “At the end of the day, we’re well above the level of management that is not their quotes.
The federal government protects wolves in two thirds of Washington as being threatened under the Endangered Species Species Act. Wolves in other parts of the state are not federally protected.
