Oregon Releases 2025 Annual Wolf Count, Numbers Up

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife today issued its 2025 gray wolf annual report, announcing an increase in the wolf population for a new state total of 230 wolves - an increase of 13%. The recent withdrawal of federal funding for conflict reduction is likely to be felt in certain parts of the state.

"It's incredibly exciting to see wolves continuing their comeback in Oregon, as their growing numbers and expansion into more of their historic habitat represent a remarkable conservation success story," said Joseph Vaile, senior representative to the Northwest Program at Defenders of Wildlife. "At the same time, reductions in federal funding are creating real challenges for conflict prevention efforts and have decreased the on-the-ground support for livestock producers."

Collaborative efforts by USDA Wildlife Services in partnership with livestock producers have played a critical role in reducing wolf conflicts across Oregon. This work was previously supported through an agreement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, but that funding was unexpectedly withdrawn in the past year, creating an immediate gap and loss of key staff.

Despite this gap, the state stands poised to recuperate funding necessary to mitigate and prevent conflict through HB 4134, a bipartisan bill that garnered support of both conservation and livestock groups. Signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek, it designates funding for compensation for ranchers that experience losses of livestock from wolves and funding for non-lethal prevention work such as range riding, fencing and the removal of attractants such as livestock carcasses.

"The non-lethal conflict reduction staff are invaluable at working on-the-ground with livestock producers, and their lost capacity is already being felt," said Vaile.

Gray wolves were extirpated from Oregon in the early 1900s due to hunting and government-sponsored predator control programs. They were then listed as endangered under state law in 1987. In the 2000s, wolves naturally recolonized the state, dispersing from neighboring states.

Wolves in the eastern third of Oregon are currently not listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. As part of the Northern Rockies population segment, federal protections were removed in 2011. On the state level, wolves are managed under the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan. The wolf plan protects wolves in the East Management Zone and West Management Zone, with added protective measures until wolves are considered established in each portion of the state.

In 2025, a total of 30 packs were documented, an increase from 25 in 2024, 23 of those packs met the state's criteria as breeding pairs, an increase from 17 last year.

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