Gray wolf populations continued to expand across the Pacific Northwest in 2025, with both Washington and Oregon reporting increases in total wolves, packs and breeding pairs. That growth came alongside a rise in livestock depredations and ongoing management challenges for agencies and producers alike.
Washington
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reported that the wolf population reached a new high in 2025, with a minimum count of 270 wolves across 49 packs, up from 230 wolves and 43 packs the year prior.
The statewide pack count increased by six packs to 49 packs, including three packs in new territories and three reestablished packs in old areas. Twenty-three packs were confirmed as breeding pairs, up 28%, and pack sizes ranged from two to 12 wolves, averaging just under five wolves per pack.
Eastern Washington continues to have the largest population, with 35 packs and 13 breeding pairs, accounting for roughly 70% of the state’s wolves. In the North Cascades region, numbers climbed to 14 packs and 10 breeding pairs, with two new packs documented and the region hitting recovery goals for the sixth consecutive year. In contrast, the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast regions had no confirmed packs.
As wolf numbers increased, the report recorded 17 depredation events in 2025, most occurring during the summer-fall grazing season from May through October. Nine calves were confirmed killed by wolves, another eight were injured, two were probably injured, and another was probably killed by a wolf. WDFW said these incidents were tied to just five of the state’s 49 packs.
To address the conflict, the state invested nearly $2 million in prevention and compensation. Washington paid $90,419 in claims for livestock losses and spent $102,340 on nonlethal deterrents through cooperative agreements, along with an additional $146,004 for contracted range riders. Lethal removal remained limited, with a small number of wolves removed in response to repeated depredations.
WDFW and Tribal biologists documented 28 wolf mortalities in 2025, including four wolves removed in response to livestock conflict, two killed while actively depredating, and additional deaths from natural, capture-related and unknown causes. Twelve wolves were legally harvested by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation hunters, while three unlawful killings were documented, with one case referred for prosecution and two still under investigation.
Oregon
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) officials reported a similar upward trend in wolf numbers, though with a more pronounced increase in livestock conflicts. The state’s minimum wolf count reached 230 animals at the end of 2025, a 13% increase from the previous year. Thirty packs were documented, with 23 packs meeting the definition of breeding pairs, up from 17 in 2024.
According to the report, wolves are expanding into new areas, especially west into the Cascades, where three new packs were documented. The population is still divided between eastern and western management zones, with most wolves located in the eastern part of the state. In the west, wolves have now met breeding pair goals for the second year in a row, while the eastern population continues to exceed those targets and remains under Phase III management.
At the same time, ODFW reported a sharp increase in livestock depredations. The state documented 106 confirmed depredation events in 2025, compared to 69 the previous year. Confirmed livestock losses in 2025 included 10 cows, 77 calves, eight sheep, one goat and one working dog. Wolves also injured 11 cows, 27 calves, one goat and two working dogs, while 16 cattle and one mule were classified as probable losses. Those incidents were heavily concentrated in northeastern Oregon, where wolf densities are highest.
The increase in depredations drove a corresponding rise in management costs and actions. Oregon distributed $729,318 in county grants to address wolf-livestock conflict, with 84% of those funds directed toward nonlethal prevention efforts. In addition, 20 wolves were lethally removed in response to chronic depredation, and three were killed by producers while attacking livestock. — Charles Wallace, WLJ contributing editor
