This annual report is conducted as part of the Service’s work to monitor the wolf population to ensure that it continues to exceed recovery goals under professional state management.
Washington DC – infoZine – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), in collaboration with other federal, state and tribal agencies, announces the 2014 Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) Gray Wolf Population numbers.
This annual report is conducted as part of the Service’s work to monitor the wolf population to ensure that it continues to exceed recovery goals under professional state management.
Wolf numbers continue to be robust, stable, and self-sustaining in the NRM. As of December 31, 2014, there were at least 1,657 wolves in 282 packs (including 85 breeding pairs) in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. The NRM wolf population has remained well above the recovery levels identified by Service and partner biologists in the recovery plan, and has continued to expand westward from the original boundary in eastern Oregon and Washington. An additional 145 wolves in 31 packs (including 13 breeding pairs) were estimated in Oregon and Washington.
Minimum management targets for the NRM are at least 45 breeding pairs and at least 450 wolves in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Based on minimum counts, Idaho estimated 770 wolves in 104 packs (26 breeding pairs); Montana, 554 wolves in 134 packs (34 breeding pairs); and Wyoming, 333 wolves in 44 packs (25 breeding pairs). Oregon estimated 77 wolves in 15 packs with 8 breeding pairs and Washington, 68 wolves in 16 packs with 5 breeding pairs. The total wolf population in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, and Washington was 1,802 wolves.
Related Report Link
Wolf Recovery Status Reports
The report is a cooperative effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Wyoming Fish and Game, the Nez Perce Tribe, National Park Service, Blackfeet Nation, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Wind River Tribes, Colville Tribe, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Utah Department of Natural Resources, and USDA Wildlife Services.