Extensive wolf populations have continued to exist across Alaska since before European settlement in North America. Large expanses of wildlands and healthy ungulate populations secure the wolf's future here. State management allows an annual harvest, which takes approximately 15 percent of the wolf population each year. Over the last 30 years, management in Alaska has included local wolf control programs aimed at improving coexistence between the wolves, native cultures and hunters, although these programs remain controversial. Main prey for wolves here are moose, caribou, Dall sheep, deer, beaver and mountain goat. Wolf range is 99 percent of the map shown.
Species Information
Species
Common Name: gray wolf, amaguk (Nunamiut), McKenzie Valley wolf, northwestern wolf
Latin Name:
Canis lupus
Alaskan wolf, ADFG
Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status
Number of wolves: 8,000 - 11,000
Population trend: Stable/slightly increasing
Legal status: State managed
Human Relationships
Recovery & Management
Alaska Department of Fish and Game Division of Wildlife Conservation: The Wolf in Alaska
