Oregon’s wolf population grew by 15% in 2024, marking the first year of double-digit growth since 2019, according to a report released by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
According to the report, the known population was 204 wolves at the end of 2024, but the number of poachings and authorized killings remains concerning.
Oregon’s overall population increased from 178 wolves in 2023 to 204 wolves in 2024. There were 25 reported packs in 2024, up from 22 the year before. The number of successful breeding pairs also increased from 15 to 17. Also identified were 18 small groups of two or three wolves.
The new report documents a total of 26 known wolf deaths in 2024. People killed 22 wolves, with seven known to have been killed illegally. It’s the fourth year in a row with high levels of illegal wolf killings, with at least 51 wolves known to have been poached since 2012.
Oregon’s state wolf plan has recovery objectives for each half of the state. While eastern Oregon has met the plan’s goals with respect to number of successful breeding pairs for a set number of years, western Oregon has lagged behind.
