What's happened
Wyoming has reported the lowest statewide wolf population in 20 years, with 253 wolves and 14 breeding pairs at the end of 2025. Distemper appears to be the primary driver, affecting 64% of wolves in the northwestern zone and causing a pup survival rate of about 37%.
What's behind the headline?
Discussion
- Distemper is linked to pup mortality, affecting population recovery efforts.
- The disease dynamics point to a weaker year for wolf counts and potential management implications for trophy game status.
- The report suggests historical fluctuations in wolf numbers when protections or hunting pressures change.
What this means for readers
- Local stakeholders may see shifts in hunting quotas or nonlethal conflicts management as populations fluctuate.
- Conservation groups will likely scrutinize data before policy revisions.
How we got here
The 2025 wolf monitoring report indicates distemper has likely surged as densities rise, echoing a flare in 2018 after a period of ESA protections.
Our analysis
AP News reports on the 2025 monitoring data and the state game department’s assessment. This includes a breakdown of pup survival and geographic variance in distemper impact.
Go deeper
- What does this mean for hunting quotas in Wyoming this year?
- Are other states seeing similar distemper-related declines in wolf populations?
- Could disease outbreaks alter future wildlife management policies?
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