On the move: understanding lone wolves in Washington
Wolves that leave their original packs are called “dispersers.” Dispersal is common in all wolf populations. It is a natural behavior where a wolf leaves its pack to find a new territory and, potentially, a mate to start a new pack. Dispersing wolves are sometimes more visible than wolves in packs because they travel through unfamiliar areas, often taking easy travel routes through valley bottoms (agricultural fields, roads, river drainages), which can be closer to where people live. Wolves can travel up to 30 miles in a day and may disperse as far as 200 miles in search of suitable habitat and a mate. Learn more in our past blog post “On the move with Washington’s wolves”.
If you encounter a wolf or wolf pack in Washington do not approach the animal. Keep your distance, leash your dog, and do not allow pets to chase or interact with the wolf. Back away slowly and leave the area, giving the wolf plenty of space to move away on its own. This applies to all wolves, but dispersers may be more visible in areas where wolves are not typically seen.
Wolf management in Washington is a collaborative process involving state, federal, and Tribal governments, and local stakeholders. In areas where wolves remain federally protected (west of Highway 97), management is led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to ensure compliance with federal law. The state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan aims to restore and sustain wolf populations while minimizing conflicts with people and livestock. Learn more about Washington wolf management on the WDFW website.
Report wolf observations to WDFW through the online reporting tool.
Learn more about gray wolves on the USFWS and WDFW websites.
