Wolves inhabit thirteen states in the United States , although the majority of the country’s wolf population lives in Alaska . Wolves were formerly widespread across the United States, although they became extirpated in many states. One such state was Oregon , with wolves completely disappearing from the area at one point. However, they have since made a comeback due to recolonization from other states. Keep reading to learn about the history of wolves in Oregon and how many live in the state today!
History of Wolves in Oregon
Although wolves were once widespread across much of the United States, including Oregon, they were also once completely extirpated from the state. Following a government bounty to eradicate them, wolves last appeared in Oregon in 1947. The first bounty was established in 1843, with incentives ranging between $5 and $20 for killing a wolf. Over the next 100 years wolves were continually hunted until they were eradicated.
However, after being completely absent from the state for approximately 50 years, wolves managed to make a comeback in Oregon, returning in the late 1990s. Progress was slow, though, as when a lone wolf was spotted within the state’s boundary it was captured and returned to Idaho where it had come from. Eventually, wolf sightings within Oregon increased, and by the mid-2000’s, it was clear that wolves had entered from neighbouring states and established a pack in the northeastern region. However, the first litter of wolf cubs confirmed in the state were not born until 2008.