Much like in the majority of the Northwestern United States, gray wolf populations are on a considerable rise. This population recovery can be attributed to natural migrations from Canada and their federal protection in the pacific northwest, most notably in the Yellowstone National Park. Despite the number increases, the species still only occupy less than ten percent of their previous habitat across North America (America’s Gray Wolves, 2018). Specifically in Oregon, gray wolf populations have increased ten fold in as many years. With a population increase as intense as this, it is only natural that their territory also expands as much. From their initial reintroduction in the northeastern part of the state, their numbers have allowed them to spread out, even reaching as far west and south as rogue county. Many of the known groups of wolves are in fact doing extremely well, many with pups who are now considered mating pairs. The Noregaard pack and the Wenaha packs both supported pups that survived through the end of December of 2019(Updated Biological Status Review, 2019). These pups show the recovery of the wolf populations through their vitality and excess energy. With an increase of abundance in population, one would expect to have increased human interaction. And fortunately, that is exactly what is happening. As of early January 2020, Sam Dodenhoff was the first to capture a photograph of a confirmed gray wolf west of highway 62 in the southern half of Oregon(Herron, 2020). However, not all wolf-human interactions are positive, or even neutral. With wolves, comes predation. A major problem foreseen by conservationists and ranchers alike are the possible attacks on profitable livestock across the state. Although the recovery excites activists, it makes the ranchers of Oregon a bit nervous, as they start to consider the use of lethal force to protect their livestock. Even though efforts to bring back wolves are gaining momentum, only time can truly tell how the story of the gray wolves of Oregon will turn out.
