Today, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife released its wolf conservation and management report for 2022. It shows weak population growth of only three wolves more than the 175 counted in 2021, and a high 17 human-caused wolf mortalities in 2022.
“This is the second year in a row in Oregon we have seen such disheartening numbers in terms of the state’s wolf population, and human-caused mortalities are the main reason behind it,” said Sristi Kamal, deputy director at the Western Environmental Law Center. “Gray wolves are a resilient species and yet we have seen a mere increase of three individuals this year, and a population increase of a meager 1% for two consecutive years. The report is showing us we are failing to protect wolves as a state.”
“Oregon’s wolf population is very much in recovery, and more than 80% of our wolves do not have any federal or state protections. Poaching, loss of habitat connectivity and climate change impacts on prey-carnivore relationships is proving to be the biggest threat to wolf recovery in Oregon. We need the state fish and wildlife agency and the legislature to take action.”
Contact:
Sristi Kamal, Western Environmental Law Center, 971-808-0775, x112, gro.w1735429058alnre1735429058tsew@1735429058lamak1735429058
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