Elk NetworkResearcher: Washington Wolf Population Larger Than Thought

General | February 8, 2019

A University of Washington researcher says there are many more wolves in the state of Washington than previously estimated.

According to the Associated Press, Samuel Wasser says he used dogs to detect 95 different wolves in a portion of Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties in the northeast portion of the state in 2016-17, or roughly the same number state managers estimated for the entire state at the time.

During a recent appearance before a state Senate committee, Wasser stated Washington could be home to approximately 200 wolves.

One year earlier, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated the minimum wolf population at 122 animals.

(Photo source: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)