EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon was home to at least 110 wolves in 2015, a 36 percent increase over the known 2104 population, the Oregon Department of Wildlife said Monday.
“Wildlife biologists believe the actual number of wolves is likely higher,” the agency said in a press release.
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But the number of domestic animals killed by wolves decline in 2015 compared to 2014.
“As predicted, Oregon’s wolf population has continued to expand its range and grow in number,” said Russ Morgan, ODFW wolf coordinator. “While northeast Oregon continues to have the highest number of wolves, there is also continued movement of wolves into southern Oregon.”
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ODFW released the 2015 Wolf Report on February 29.
Among the findings:
- ODFW identified 11 breeding pairs of wolves in 2015, up from in 2014. The agency defines a breeding pair as “an adult male and female wolf that produce at least two pups which survive through the end of the year.”
- 33 pups were born in 2015 that are known to have survived through Dec. 31.
- ODFW confirmed nine incidents of wolves killing livestock and two probable incidents. A total of 10 sheep, three calves and one working dog were killed by wolves, and another two calves and one lamb were injured in 2015. That was down from 11 confirmed incidents and 32 livestock (2 cattle and 30 sheep) in 2014. RELATED | Wolf suspect in attack on Oregon ranch dogs
- The Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance program distributed $174,428 in grants to 10 counties to proactively address wolf-livestock conflict and compensate landowners who lost animals to wolves. Most funds were used for preventative measures ($119,390) and for direct payment ($14,018) to livestock producers for confirmed losses.
- The state documented the deaths of 7 wolves in 2015: A five-month-old pup was found dead in the Catherine Pack rendezvous area and appeared to die of natural causes. Another wolf had a rodent in its stomach and the wolf tested positive for a poisonous chemical. The cause of death of the Sled Springs breeding male and female found dead in August is unknown.
- Three wolves were illegally shot. A Baker City man pleaded guilty to shooting one of the wolves and was fined $2,000 and ordered to forfeit his rifle to the state. The other cases remain under investigation by Oregon State Police.
Source: Oregon home to at least 110 wolves | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News | KBOI