The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says overall wolf population in 2024 decreased by at least 9.44% and the number of successful breeding pairs declined by 25%.
The report indicates that at the end of 2024, the state had 230 wolves in 43 packs, 18 of which had successful breeding pairs. It marks a decrease from the end of 2023, when the state had 254 wolves in 42 packs, 24 of which had successful breeding pairs.
According to the report, at least 37 wolves died in 2024, 31 of which were human-caused. Of all 37 reported deaths, five were killed for livestock conflicts — four by the department and one by a livestock owner. Nineteen died from Tribal hunting by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville, which retain tribal treaty rights for hunting on their reservation and on ceded lands, and by the Spokane Tribe.
Two died of natural causes (one was killed by a cougar and the other was killed by other wolves), one died from ingesting plastic, which perforated its intestine, two died from capture-related trauma while the department was capturing wolves to collar them, and one was shot in an alleged self-defense incident and likely died, though its body was never found and no charges were filed.
In addition, there were seven known illegal killings, which remain under investigation.
The latest report provided wolf figures for last year but also corrected figures for the end of 2023. That annual report erroneously reported more wolves and more breeding pairs than existed.
