Wolves, once widespread across North America, now inhabit only a fraction of their former range. Despite their iconic status, these apex predators face ongoing challenges in the modern world. The global gray wolf population is estimated to be at 200,000-250,000.1
As of 2024, wolves have established populations in just 13 U.S. states, primarily in the northern regions. From the vast wilderness of Alaska to the forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Great Lakes region, wolves have managed to maintain a foothold in select areas
1. Alaska
Alaska reigns supreme as the wolf capital of the United States. With an estimated population of 7,000 to 11,000 wolves, the Last Frontier is home to more of these apex predators than any other state. This robust population is a testament to Alaska’s vast, untamed wilderness and the state’s commitment to maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Wolves in Alaska have never been classified as endangered or threatened, unlike their counterparts in the lower states. The state’s Department of Fish and Game actively manages wolf populations, balancing conservation with the needs of local communities.
Alaskan wolves play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the state’s ecosystems, helping to control populations of prey species like moose and caribou.
2. Minnesota
Minnesota holds the distinction of being one of only two states (along with Alaska) that has always maintained a viable wolf population. The North Star State is home to approximately 2,696 wolves, making it the state with the largest wolf population in the contiguous United States. These wolves are primarily found in the northern forested regions of the state.
The recovery of Minnesota’s wolf population is a conservation success story. Protected under the Endangered Species Act since 1974, wolves in Minnesota have made a remarkable comeback. However, their management remains a contentious issue, with ongoing debates between conservationists, farmers, and hunters about how best to balance wolf protection with human interests.
Despite these challenges, Minnesota’s wolves continue to thrive, playing a vital role in the state’s ecosystems.
3. Idaho
Idaho’s rugged landscapes provide an ideal habitat for wolves, with the state hosting around 1,500 of these predators. The reintroduction of wolves to Idaho in the mid-1990s was part of a larger effort to restore wolf populations in the Northern Rocky Mountains.
Since then, the state’s wolf population has grown significantly, sparking both admiration and controversy.
Wolf management in Idaho has been a hot-button issue, with the state implementing controversial policies to control wolf numbers. In 2021, Idaho passed legislation allowing for the culling of up to 90% of the state’s wolf population, citing concerns about livestock predation and impacts on elk herds.(ref) This move has been met with fierce opposition from conservation groups, highlighting the ongoing tension between wolf conservation and human interests in the state.
4. Montana
Montana’s diverse landscapes, from the Rocky Mountains to the prairies, support a thriving wolf population of approximately 1,087 individuals. These wolves are descendants of those reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho in the mid-1990s and of wolves that naturally dispersed from Canada.
The presence of wolves in Montana has had significant ecological impacts, particularly in Yellowstone, where their reintroduction has led to a trophic cascade effect, benefiting a wide range of species. However, as in other states, wolf management in Montana remains controversial.
The state has implemented hunting and trapping seasons for wolves, aiming to balance conservation with the concerns of ranchers and hunters.
5. Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s wolf population has made a remarkable recovery since the species was first protected under the Endangered Species Act. As of 2020, the state was home to approximately 1,000 to 2,000 wolves, primarily inhabiting the northern and central forests. This resurgence is a testament to the resilience of these animals and the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
However, the management of Wisconsin’s wolves has been a contentious issue. In February 2021, a controversial wolf hunt resulted in the killing of 216 wolves in just three days, far exceeding the state-set quota.(ref) This event sparked intense debate about the state’s wolf management policies and highlighted the ongoing challenges of balancing conservation with other interests.
6. Michigan
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to a thriving wolf population, with approximately 695 individuals as of 2020. These wolves have made a remarkable comeback since their near-extinction in the state in the mid-20th century. The return of wolves to Michigan has been hailed as a conservation success story, demonstrating the effectiveness of protection measures and habitat preservation.
In addition to the mainland population, Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park has been the site of a unique wolf reintroduction effort. After the island’s native wolf population dwindled to just two inbred individuals, the National Park Service began translocating wolves to the island in 2018.
As of 2020, there were approximately 15 wolves on Isle Royale, helping to restore the island’s predator-prey balance and providing valuable insights into wolf ecology and behavior.
7. Wyoming
Wyoming’s wolf population, estimated at around 338 individuals, is primarily concentrated in the northwestern part of the state, including Yellowstone National Park.
The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone in 1995 has had far-reaching ecological impacts, demonstrating the crucial role these apex predators play in maintaining ecosystem health.
However, wolf management in Wyoming has been particularly contentious. The state has implemented a dual classification system, with wolves in the northwest corner of the state managed as trophy game animals, while in the rest of the state, they are classified as predators and can be killed without a license. This policy has been the subject of ongoing legal battles and highlights the challenges of balancing wolf conservation with other land use interests.
8. Washington
Washington state’s wolf population has been steadily growing since the first pack was confirmed in 2008. As of 2020, the state was home to approximately 216 wolves, with most packs located in the eastern part of the state. This natural recolonization has been celebrated by conservationists but has also led to conflicts with ranchers and some rural communities.
To address these challenges, Washington has implemented a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan that aims to balance wolf recovery with the needs of local communities.
The plan includes measures for non-lethal wolf deterrence as well as protocols for lethal removal when wolves repeatedly prey on livestock. Despite ongoing controversies, Washington’s wolf population continues to expand, with wolves beginning to establish territories in the state’s western regions.
9. Oregon
Oregon’s wolf population has been steadily increasing since the first wolves naturally dispersed into the state from Idaho in the late 1990s. As of 2020, there were approximately 178 wolves in Oregon, primarily in the northeastern part of the state. This growth represents a significant conservation success, as wolves had been extirpated from Oregon by the late 1940s.
The state has implemented a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan that aims to ensure the species’ long-term survival while also addressing potential conflicts with human activities.
Oregon’s approach to wolf management has been relatively progressive, emphasizing non-lethal deterrence methods to prevent livestock predation. However, as the wolf population continues to grow and expand its range, the state faces ongoing challenges in balancing conservation goals with the concerns of ranchers and rural communities.
10. New Mexico
New Mexico is home to a small but significant population of Mexican gray wolves, the most endangered subspecies of gray wolf in North America. As of 2021, there were approximately 114 Mexican wolves in the wild in New Mexico and Arizona combined. These wolves are the result of a binational captive breeding program initiated in the 1970s to save the subspecies from extinction.
The recovery of Mexican wolves in New Mexico has been a challenging process, marked by conflicts with ranchers and ongoing debates about management strategies. Despite these challenges, the population has shown steady growth in recent years.
The presence of these wolves in the Southwest is not only crucial for the subspecies’ survival but also plays an important role in restoring the region’s ecological balance.
11. Arizona
Arizona shares the distinction with New Mexico of being home to the endangered Mexican gray wolf. As of 2021, the combined wild population of Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico was estimated at 113 individuals. These wolves primarily inhabit the Apache and Gila National Forests along the Arizona-New Mexico border.
The reintroduction of Mexican wolves to Arizona began in 1998 as part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program. While the population has grown since then, it remains vulnerable due to genetic issues stemming from the small founding population.
Arizona wildlife officials work closely with federal agencies and their New Mexico counterparts to manage this unique wolf population, implementing measures to reduce conflicts with humans while promoting the wolves’ recovery.
12. California
California’s wolf population is small but growing, with approximately 45 wolves as of 2024. The state’s wolf saga began in 2011 when a lone wolf from Oregon, known as OR-7, became the first confirmed wild wolf in California in nearly a century. Since then, several wolf packs have established territories in the state’s northern regions.
The return of wolves to California has been met with both excitement and concern. The state has implemented a comprehensive Wolf Conservation Plan that aims to conserve wolf populations while minimizing conflicts with humans.
As California’s wolf population continues to grow, wildlife managers face the challenge of balancing conservation goals with the needs of ranchers and rural communities.
13. North Carolina
North Carolina is unique among the states on this list as it is home to the critically endangered red wolf rather than gray wolves. As of 2024, there were approximately 18 known red wolves in the wild, all located in eastern North Carolina. This small population is the result of an intensive captive breeding and reintroduction program that began in the 1980s.
The recovery of red wolves in North Carolina has faced numerous challenges, including habitat loss, interbreeding with coyotes, and conflicts with human activities. Despite these obstacles, conservation efforts continue, with wildlife managers working to protect and expand the existing population.
The presence of red wolves in North Carolina not only represents a last stand for this unique species but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the state’s coastal plain ecosystems.
Despite the controversies, wolves continue to play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. As we move forward, the fate of these iconic predators will depend on our ability to find sustainable solutions that allow wolves and humans to coexist.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.