Forecasting dynamics of a recolonizing wolf population under different management strategies

Animal Conservation
By: , and 

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Abstract

Species recovery can be influenced by a wide variety of factors, such that predicting the spatiotemporal dynamics of recovering species can be exceedingly difficult. These predictions, however, are valuable for decision makers tasked with managing species and determining their legal status. We applied a spatially explicit projection model to estimate population growth and viability of gray wolves (Canis lupus) from 2021 to 2070 in the state of Washington, USA, where wolves have been naturally recolonizing since the establishment of the first resident pack in 2008. Using this model, we predicted the effects of 12 scenarios relating to management actions (e.g., lethal removals by the state agency, translocation, recreational harvest) and system uncertainties (e.g., immigration from out of state, disease) on the probability of meeting Washington's wolf recovery goals, the probability of extinction, and other metrics related to population status. Population recovery was defined under Washington's Wolf Conservation and Management Plan as four breeding pairs in each of three recovery regions and three additional breeding pairs anywhere in the state. The baseline and two translocation scenarios indicated a high (> 90%) probability of wolf recovery in Washington by 2070, but scenarios related to harvest mortality (removal of 5% of the population every 6 months), increased lethal removals (removal of 8.53% of the population across the state each year), and cessation of immigration from out of state resulted in probabilities of < 0.20 (0.01, 0.04, and 0.17, respectively) of meeting recovery goals by 2070. Only two scenarios of 12 (increased harvest and lethal removals scenarios) resulted in a geometric mean of population growth ≤ 1, indicating long-term population stability or growth for most scenarios. Our results suggest that wolves will continue to recolonize Washington and that recovery goals are likely to be met so long as harvest and lethal removals are not at unsustainable levels and adjacent populations support immigration into Washington.

Suggested Citation

Petracca, L.S., Converse, S.J., Maletzke, B.T., Gardner, B., 2026, Forecasting dynamics of a recolonizing wolf population under different management strategies: Animal Conservation, v. 29, no. 1, p. 21-33, https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.70019.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Forecasting dynamics of a recolonizing wolf population under different management strategies
Series title Animal Conservation
DOI 10.1111/acv.70019
Volume 29
Issue 1
Publication Date May 26, 2025
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Zoological Society of London
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 13 p.
First page 21
Last page 33
Country United States
State Washington
Additional publication details