New data shows Washington’s gray wolf population has bounced back, reaching the highest statewide count of the species to date.

At least 270 gray wolves called Washington home in 2025, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which began surveying the state’s wolf population annually in 2008. That’s up about 17% since 2024.

The new report also finds the number of successful breeding pairs climbed from 18 to 23 — a 27% increase from 2024 — across 49 packs statewide. Packs ranged from two to 12 wolves in 2025, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, but most were comprised of three to seven wolves. Six of the 49 packs were either formed or reestablished in 2025.

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Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement that the report’s findings are “encouraging” — but the work is far from over.

“Regaining lost footing is essential but these numbers don’t mean wolves are recovered in Washington,” Weiss said. “The southern Cascades and North Coast boast some of the best wolf habitat in the state but still have no wolf packs or breeding pairs.”

The new report also reveals that at least 28 wolves died in 2025 — about level with the previous year. Most of the deaths were caused by people, including lethal removals for livestock conflicts, legal tribal hunting, and at least three poaching cases that are still under investigation.

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Weiss said human activity is still keeping wolves from moving into a few major parts of the state, including the southern Cascades and the North Coast.

“Once they get there, we must keep them safe from illegal poaching,” Weiss said. “The bottom line is that for Washington’s wolf population to fully recover, the department must focus on reducing human-caused wolf deaths.”

Gabriel Spitzer and Kathryn Stone are reporters with KUOW. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.

It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/washington-s-gray-wolf-population-reaches-highest-count-to-date/