Wolf Recovery Today

These are the regions in the United States where wolves are found today. Click on a region on the map to learn more.

Northern Rockies

• Population Source: In the 1980’s, wolves from Canada dispersed into northwestern Montana and formed breeding pairs. In 1995 and 1996, 66 wild wolves were translocated from Canada to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park.
• Subspecies: Canis lupus occidentalis
• For More Information: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/
• Idaho
  • Listing Status: Big game species (under state management)
  • Population Size: ID = 705 (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/
• Montana
  • Listing Status: Species in need of management (state management)
  • Population Size: MT = 566 (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://fwp.mt.gov/wildthings/management/wolf/
• Oregon
  • Listing Status: Endangered (state management in eastern Oregon)
  • Population Size: 21 (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/wolves/
• Utah
  • Listing Status: under state management in northern Utah and federal management in southern Utah
  • Population Size: Transient
  • For More Information: http://wildlife.utah.gov/wolf/
• Washington
  • Listing Status: Endangered (state management in eastern Washington)
  • Population Size: 16 (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildlife/management/gray_wolf/index.html
• Wyoming
  • Listing Status: Experimental, non-essential, federally protected
  • Population Size: 343 wolves (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://gf.state.wy.us/services/education/wolves/index.asp

Great Lakes

• Population Source: This is a naturally occurring population of wolves. Wolves dispersed from Canada into the Great Lakes area.
• Subspecies: Canis lupus nubilus
• For More Information: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf/
• Michigan
  • Listing Status: Endangered (federal management)
  • Population Size: (as of 2010)
    • Upper Peninsula – 557
    • Isle Royale – 19
  • For More Information: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12205-32569--,00.html
• Minnesota
  • Listing Status: Threatened (federal management)
  • Population Size: 2,921 in MN (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mammals/wolves/mgmt.html
• Wisconsin
  • Listing Status: Endangered (federal management)
  • Population Size: 690 (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/mammals/wolf/wolf_facts.htm

Southwest

• Population Source: This population of wolves was reintroduced starting in 1998 from captive-bred stock.
• Subspecies: Canis lupus baileyi
• For More Information: http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/mexicanwolf/
• Arizona
• Listing Status: Experimental, non-essential
• Population Size: 29 wolves (as of 2010)
• For More Information:http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/es/wolf_reintroduction.shtml
• New Mexico
  • Listing Status: Experimental, non-essential
  • Population Size: 21 wolves (as of 2010)
  • For More Information: http://wildlife.state.nm.us/education/wildlife_notes/documents/mexicanwolf.pdf

Alaska

• Population Source: This is a naturally occurring population of wolves.
• Legal Status: State managed
• Population Size: 7,700-11,200
• Subspecies: Canis lupus occidentalis
• For More Information: http://www.wc.adfg.state.ak.us/index.cfm?adfg=wolf.main

Southeast - North Carolina (northeastern)

• Population Source: This population of wolves was reintroduced starting in 1988 from captive-bred stock.
• Listing Status: Experimental, non-essential
• Population Size: 100-120
• Species: Canis rufus (Red wolf)
• For More Information: http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/index.html