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Bringing Wolves Back Home to Oregon
Gray wolves (Canis lupus) were once common in Oregon, occupying most of the state. However, a deliberate effort to eradicate the species was successful by the 1940s. Protection of wildlands is important to wolf recovery.
BREAKING NEWS: Oregon Wild joins in challenging federal delisting of gray wolves. Read this fact sheet to find out why a federal delisting could jeopardize wolves in Oregon. (Click here to see the press release on challenging the delisting.)
Become a voice for wolves. Sign up for the Oregon Wild Wolf Pack.
Gray wolves (Canis lupus) were once common in Oregon, occupying most of the state. However, a deliberate effort to eradicate the species was successful by the 1940s.
Trouble for the wolf began in 1843, sixteen years before Oregon became a state, when the first wolf bounty was established. In 1913, people capitalizing on wolf bounties could collect a State of Oregon bounty of $5 and an Oregon State Game Commission bounty of $20. The last record of a paid wolf bounty was in 1946.
Fifth confirmed gray wolf spotted in Northeast Oregon. Name that wolf!
After a 60 years absence, wolves are once again making a presence in Oregon, having dispersed into the state from nearby Idaho. One of the first sightings came in 1999 when a lone wolf was captured near the middle fork of the John Day River and returned to Idaho. In 2000, two wolves were found dead - one killed by a car, the other illegally shot.
In 2006, a flurry of sightings have led state wildlife biologists to believe that a number of wild wolves are likely living in Northeast Oregon near the Wallowa Mountains and the Eagle Cap Wilderness area. More recently, in May of 2007 a wolf was found shot to death near La Grande, OR.
The large tracts of pristine and unspoiled wilderness and roadless areas in Northeast Oregon are vital components to the success of wolves, and plenty of other animals, too. The re-appearance of wolves in Oregon further underscores the importance of protecting what little roadless areas remain on public land.
Anticipating the eventual return of wolves, the State of Oregon completed a wolf conservation and management plan in 2005. Read Oregon Wild's Comments about the plan here.
Watch the video!
Filmed in 2006 in Northeastern Oregon. (If the video does not appear below, click here.)
Living with wolves
Learn about an Idaho rancher blazing a trail of peaceful coexistence with wolves
More information about wolves
USFWS fact sheet on gray wolves
Background information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources for Educators
Teaching unitsfrom PBS' NOVA Online
Just for Kids!
International Wolf Center "Wild Kids" page
Science News for Kids: The wolf and the cow
