The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) reports there were a minimum of 347 wolves in the state of Wyoming as of December 31, 2017.
“After having management of wolves returned to Wyoming in April of 2017 we made a strong commitment to ensure we would be responsive and responsible managers. Part of that is providing an accurate population estimate and we have that now,” said Dan Thompson, WGFD large carnivore section supervisor. “It is significant that today we are now managing recovered and healthy populations of all of Wyoming’s native large carnivores.”
Specifically, the count shows at least 238 wolves living outside of Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Reservation. The population count for Yellowstone National Park is at least 97 and at least 12 for the Wind River Reservation.
“Recovery criteria for Wyoming is 100 wolves and 10 breeding pairs outside Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Reservation. This is our 16th year exceeding those criteria. Now, with our new population information we can make informed recommendations on how to manage wolves in 2018 and moving forward,” said Ken Mills, the report author and the lead wolf biologist for Game and Fish.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recognizes predators have a proper place on the landscape. RMEF supports science-based management of all wildlife including wolves, lions, and bears, and fully endorses the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which maintains fish and wildlife belong to all citizens and are to be scientifically managed through hunting and other means so all populations can thrive forever.
Find more information here.
(Photo source: Wyoming Game and Fish Department)