Wolf numbers: Still higher than recovery goals

Wolf pack numbers were up but the number of gray wolves were down across the Rocky Mountain west in 2012, according to an annual report last week released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

At the end of 2012, there were at least 321 confirmed packs and 1,674 wolves within the Northern Rocky Mountain area, which includes Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and Washington. The 2011 report showed at least 287 confirmed packs and 1,796 wolves within the area.

The report shows a nearly 12 percent increase in the number of wolf packs over 2011 and a nearly 7 percent decrease in the overall population, which is in line with FWS’s expectation for the year.

The number of breeding pairs also decreased by 5 percent, from 109 pairs in 2011 to 103 pairs in 2012. Overall, the wolf population remains well above the recovery levels FWS and partner biologists identified in the recovery plan.

The original recovery plan had goals of an equitably distributed wolf population containing at least 300 wolves and 30 breeding pairs in three recovery areas within Montana, Idaho and Wyoming for at least three consecutive years. These totals were reached in 2002.

During 2012, Montana removed 108 wolves by agency control and 175 wolves were harvested by hunting; Idaho removed 73 wolves by agency control and 329 were harvested; and in Wyoming, 43 wolves were removed by agency control and 66 were harvested.

Washington removed seven wolves. In Oregon, no wolves were removed by agency control.

No wolves were harvested by hunting in Washington or Oregon.