Gray Wolf Population Trends in the Contiguous United States
Estimated trends in the abundance of free ranging gray wolves in the lower 48 United States (1963 to present). Data from published literature or official agency records. Sources are available from the International Wolf Center upon request
a
Year
MN
WI
MI
Isle Royale
(N.W. Montana)
MT
Greater Yellowstone
WY
(Central Idaho)
ID
AZ
NM
1963
350-700
.
.
20
.
.
1964
.
.
25
1965
28
1966
23
1967
26
1968
16
1969
17
1970
750
0
18
1971
.
.
20
1972
736 - 950
23
1973
500 - 1000
24
1974
.
30
1975
41
1976
1000 - 1200
44
1977
.
34
1978
40
1979
1235
43
1
1980
.
25
50
.
1981
21
30
1982
27
14
1983
19
23
1984
17
24
1985
15
22
14
1986
16
20
18
1987
18
16
26
1988
28
12
31
1989
1521
31
12
30
1990
.
34
6
15
48
1991
40
17
12
42
1992
45
21
12
59
1993
40
30
13
88
1994
57
57
17
64
1995
83
80
16
70
14
15
.
1996
2000-2200
99
116
22
82
43
30 - 40
1997
.
148
112
24
75
54
68 - 71
1998
2450
178
140
14
75
80 - 85
70 - 75
11
.
1999
.
205
174
25
65
116b
122b
6b
2000
248
216
29
63
118
141
12
9
2001
2600d
251
249
19
107
140
185
29e
3e
2002
.
320
280
17
84
218
261
12f
7f
2003
335-354
321
19
92
301
368
17f
6f
2004
3020
400
360
29
59
324
422
12fg
5fg
2005
3020a
425a
405a
30a
93
294
525h
15g
14g
2006
.
465
434
30
159
314
673
35-49i
35-49i
2007
.
546
509
21
159
425
371
713
59i
59i
2008
2,921
549
520
23
500
846
~50i
~50i
2009
620
577
24
524
320
835
42i
42i
2010
690
19
566
50i
50i
2011
11
653
746
2012
782-824
9
220-230
32 (total 58)
26 (total 58)
a = Estimates made during the preceding winter unless noted otherwise. b = Estimates made during preceding fall. c = d = Estimates based on 1997-98 survey numbers and 4.5% population growth since that time. e = Numbers as of August 2001. f = Numbers of collared wolves as of April of the year. g= Total number of Mexican wolves in the wild is 50. h= Estimate out of 500-550 wolves (USFWS). i = Shared population between Arizona and New Mexico.
