FACT SHEET ON

WOLF CONSERVATION
IN OREGON
April 2018
 

• Around 9 billion land animals are killed every year in the US to produce meat, dairy, and
eggs.1
• An additional 2.7 million wild animals are killed every year in the US on behalf of the
livestock industry.2
• Wolves in Oregon are included in the 2.7 million wild animals killed every year.
• Wolves are a native species in Oregon.3
• They are also a keystone species because they play a critical role in promoting
biodiversity and ecological health.4
• Wolves in Eastern Oregon, where the majority of the state’s population lives, lost federal
Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections in 2011.5
• Wolves also lost protections under Oregon’s Endangered Species Act (OESA) in 2015.6
• There are currently 124 wolves in Oregon.7
• Under OS 498.014, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife may kill wolves on
behalf of the livestock industry.8
• However, wolves are not a serious threat to livestock.
• For example, wolves have killed 61 domestic animals since the 1990’s. Compared to
domestic dogs, who have killed 700 sheep in 2015 alone.9
• Ultimately, the most effective method to prevent wolf-livestock conflicts is responsible
husbandry.

                                                                                                           
1
The Humane Society of the United States, “Farm Animal Statistics: Slaughter Totals.”
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/resources/research/stats_slaughter_totals.html?referrer=https://search.yahoo.co
m/
2
United States Department of Agriculture, “Program Data Report G – 2016: Animals Dispersed/Killed or
Euthanized/Removed or Destroyed/Freed.” https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/pdr/PDR-
G_Report.php?fy=2016&fld=&fld_val=
3
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife “Frequently Asked Questions about Wolves in Oregon.”
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/Wolves/faq.asp
4
Wolf Conservation Center “Wolves are a Critical Keystone Species in a Healthy Ecosystem.”
https://nywolf.org/wolves-are-a-critical-keystone-species-in-a-healthy-ecosystem/
5
Oregon Wild “Wolves Come Home to Oregon.” http://www.oregonwild.org/wildlife/wolves
6
Oregon Wild “Wolves Come Home to Oregon.” http://www.oregonwild.org/wildlife/wolves
7
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife “Frequently Asked Questions about Wolves in Oregon.”
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/Wolves/faq.asp
8
Oregon Revised Statute 498.014, “Taking of wolves by State Department of Fish and Wildlife to address chronic
depredation.” https://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/498.014    
9
 Oregon Wild “Wolves Come Home to Oregon.” http://www.oregonwild.org/wildlife/wolves  
 ACTION ITEMS TO PROTECT OREGON’S WOLVES

On Tuesday, April 10th, the State issued kill orders for two members of the Pine Creek Wolf
Pack. One of the wolves is pregnant.

Take Action NOW to Protect Oregon’s Wolves.

1. Call Governor Brown to tell her to end the killing of Oregon’s wolves: 503-378-4582;
sample script from Oregon Wild:

I was dismayed to learn that, amidst an ongoing wolf poaching epidemic, your wildlife agency has again issued kill
orders for wolves. ODFW has lowered the bar even further for when wolves can be killed.

This is a betrayal of Oregon’s conservation values and science that shows killing wolves only increases conflict. No
predations have occurred since minimal non-lethal measures began being implemented. There are plenty of tools
available to prevent additional conflict without issuing kill orders.

ODFW appears increasingly incapable of standing up to special interests and carrying out its conservation mission.

Oregon deserves a science-based wolf plan that honors Oregon’s conservation values. Wolf killing should truly be
an option of last resort. I urge you to step up and hold your agency accountable.

2. Email the Fish and Wildlife Commission and your legislators to ask for wolves to be
relisted as endangered under Oregon’s ESA: odfw.commission@state.or.us

While Oregon currently has 124 wolves, the most current science suggests that minimum recovery numbers should
be closer to and that Oregon has enough habitat to support 1,500 wolves. Oregon wolves deserve to experience full
recovery. Without federal ESA protections, it is critical that the state protects our wolves under the OESA. Please
relist wolves as an endangered species under the OESA.

3. Submit comments for the April 20th, 2018, Fish and Wildlife Commission advocating that
the Oregon Wolf Conservation and Management Plan focuses on conservation and
conflict prevention rather than killing wolves: odfw.commission@state.or.us

Oregon’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan should focus on conservation and conflict prevention. When the
wolf plan was reviewed in 2010, over 20,000 public comments were submitted, and over 90% of them were in favor
of stronger protections for wolves. We should honor the will of the overwhelming majority of people in Oregon, and
protect Oregon’s wolves to their fullest recover with the wolf management plan.

4. Go vegan! Check out Challenge 22 for recipes and advise for going vegan:
https://www.challenge22.com/challenge22/

For more info or questions, contact Corinne Fletcher at

legallyvegan@gmail.com