Oregon and Washington released the results of state wolf surveys for 2024 this week, presenting a contrast in how the species is recovering in the Pacific Northwest. In Oregon, wolf population increased 14% in 2024 over 2023 levels while in Washington, wolf population fell by 9.4%.
“After a few years of concerning stagnation, we are cautiously optimistic to see an increase in Oregon’s wolf count from 178 to 204 wolves,” said Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center. “Threats such as poaching and wolf killings in response to wolf-livestock conflicts persist as the main causes of mortality, but even the slightest decrease in human-led persecution can give this imperiled species a chance at recovery, and it speaks to the resiliency of wolves. Oregon’s wolf numbers and livestock conflict cases this year also reinforce the fact that an increase in wolf numbers does not mean an increase in conflict events, especially when coexistence tools and strategies are employed.”
Contact:
Sristi Kamal, Western Environmental Law Center, 971-808-0775, gro.w1744744481alnre1744744481tsew@1744744481lamak1744744481
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