Washington Wolf Count Down 9% with 25% Breeding Drop

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Washington's wolves face a troubling decline as the population dropped nearly 10% in 2024, despite a small increase in the number of packs across the state.

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The state counted 230 wolves in 43 packs, down from 254 wolves in 42 packs last year, with breeding pairs plummeting by 25% from 24 to just 18

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Human activity caused 31 of the 37 documented wolf deaths, including tribal hunting (19), illegal killings (7), and removals due to livestock conflicts (5)

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Eastern Washington and the North Cascades met recovery goals for the fifth straight year, but wolves continue to struggle in the Southern Cascades and coastal areas.

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Livestock conflicts remain a hot-button issue, with 40 separate incidents of wolves attacking farm animals documented throughout 2024

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High wolf mortality in eastern regions blocks recovery in western Washington as fewer wolves survive to disperse into new territories.

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Conservation groups praised the state's decision to maintain protections after officials rejected a 2023 proposal to downgrade wolves from "endangered" to "sensitive" status.

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Poaching wolves is unacceptable," stated WDFW Director Kelly Susewind, as illegal killings continue to undermine recovery efforts across the state

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[{"selector":"#anim-db0393aa-7c09-4c68-90e0-a7aaf527b043","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1de7ba1a-0cb9-49f9-911b-86d0fd07d1ea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f352614c-8cde-4bab-9334-960cb5823265","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-32e54283-5525-476b-a538-51ba73e9fe7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc6e5443-324f-4682-930a-699f884a162a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.2381%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Four Rare Amur Tiger Cubs Born at Longleat Safari Park Learn more