OLYMPIA — Washington’s gray wolf population reached a record high of 270 wolves in 2025, a 17% increase from 230 wolves in 2024, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual report released Friday.
The count showed 23 breeding pairs and 49 packs statewide, up from 18 breeding pairs and 43 packs in 2024.
“We confirmed six new or reestablished packs in the annual count,” said Trent Roussin, WDFW wolf biologist.
WDFW documented 28 wolf deaths during 2025, including 12 legally harvested by tribal hunters and four removed due to livestock conflicts.
The agency recorded 17 livestock depredation events involving 19 cattle. Five of the 49 packs were involved in at least one livestock incident.
“That leaves 90% of known packs that were not involved in any known depredations in 2025 despite most pack territories overlapping livestock operations,” Roussin said.
No breeding pairs were documented in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast Recovery Region.
WDFW will host a virtual media availability at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, to answer questions about the report.
Washington Gray Wolf Conservation and Management 2025 Annual Report, available on the Department’s website
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