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Gray Wolf - Canis lupis
Photo by Gary Kramer, USFWS
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FACT
SHEET
Wolves
in Washington
July
2007
Once found throughout much of North
America including Washington state, the gray wolf (Canis
lupis) is listed as an endangered species by both federal
and state authorities.
Wild wolves vanished from Washington
by the 1930s because of trapping, poisoning, and hunting.
No breeding pairs or packs of wild
wolves are currently known to reside in this state, although
individual wolves occasionally are seen. The sightings are believed
to be of animals that have wandered from Idaho, Montana, or Canada,
or wolf-dog hybrids that have been released into the wild.
There are no federal or state plans
to reintroduce wolves into Washington. However, with the success
of recent federal wolf-recovery efforts in Idaho, Montana, and
Wyoming, it is increasingly likely that wolves will disperse
into eastern Washington in the near future.
Once resident wolves have been confirmed
in Washington, state and federal wildlife authorities plan to
monitor their activity to learn more about the animals' use of
habitat, and to minimize potential livestock depredation or other
conflicts.
Wolves are reclusive by nature and
avoid contact with humans. There has never been a documented
human fatality in the United States involving a healthy, wild
wolf. While wild wolves primarily feed on elk, deer, and moose,
they will occasionally prey on domestic livestock.
Because wolves are listed as an endangered
species, it is illegal to kill, harm or harass them. Wolf sightings
and suspected wolf depredation on domestic animals should be
reported to federal authorities who will investigate the incidents
and take appropriate action to resolve the problem.
To report sightings of a wolf or
wolf track, or suspected wolf depredation on livestock, contact
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the agency responsible
for wolf management in Washington. In eastern Washington the
USFWS office can be reached at 509-891-6839 and in western Washington,
call 360-753-9440. Wolf sightings can also be recorded on the
USFWS toll-free hotline, 1-888-584-9038.
Wolf natural history
- Wolves are highly adaptable and
can survive in a variety of habitats, although they prefer
relatively flat, open areas such as river valleys and basins.
- Wolves are territorial. Territory
size varies with prey availability. A wolf pack, which typically
consists of a breeding male and female with offspring, may
occupy a territory of about 350 square miles. Individual wolves
may travel distances of up to 500 miles.
- Wolves are commonly thought to
mate for life. Wolves first breed at about three years of age,
between January and April. An average of six pups are born
in a den about two months later. The female stays near her
young for several months while the male and other pack members
hunt and feed them. At about two months of age, pups are moved
from the den to an above ground site. Pups join their pack
for hunting travels by October.
- In the wild, wolves typically
live eight to 12 years.
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