Today, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife released its 2021 Annual Wolf Report. The summary of the report paints a dire picture of wolf recovery, with decreasing packs and breeding pairs, and a population increase of only two wolves. The report only contains 2021 information and does not include the spree of wolf poachings disclosed over the last four months of 2022, and others whose details may not be released to the public.

Conservation and animal-protection groups announced a combined $22,500 reward today for information leading to a conviction in the killing of a collared wolf outside the town of Cove in Northeast Oregon.

On Feb. 15 Oregon State Police troopers, investigating a report from wildlife officials, found a collared wolf lying dead in a field. The troopers believe the black female wolf to be OR-109, who had been shot and killed that morning.

A federal district court today struck down a 2020 decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that removed federal protections from gray wolves across much of the U.S. The Trump administration delisted the gray wolf after 45 years of protection under the Endangered Species Act despite the strong disagreement from experts who noted that the wolf’s recovery hinged on continued protections.

Conservation groups announced today a $16,500 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for the illegal shooting death of a two-year-old collared female wolf in Wallowa County in early January. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Turn in Poachers (TIP) division also offers a potential $300 reward for information regarding illegal wolf killings. 

Previous administration illegally removed wolves from the Endangered Species Act

Response to outgoing administration removing Endangered Species Act protections from the gray wolf

Today, six environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s rule that removed Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves in the lower-48 states except for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service made its decision despite the science that concludes wolves are still functionally extinct in the vast majority of their former range across the continental U.S.