Was that a wolf in Whatcom County? Here’s what state wildlife officials say
A photograph going around social media claims to show a gray wolf standing in a field on Smith Road in rural Whatcom County.
It’s a grainy color image of what appears to be a canine larger than a coyote, making it one of dozens of wolf sightings that have been reported in Whatcom County since 2020 — from the flanks of Mount Baker to Blaine, Ferndale and the Lummi Reservation.
Most wolves in Washington are on the east side of the state, but officials say that they can’t rule out the possibility of a lone wolf in Northwest Washington.
“We are aware of the following social media post, but cannot verify this report at this time,” local Fish and Wildlife spokesman Chase Gunnell told The Bellingham Herald in an email. “Individual wolves can travel long distances, and sightings in northern Washington are possible. Currently, there are no confirmed wolf packs in Northwest Washington or west of the Cascade Mountains.”
The gray wolf is native to Washington but was nearly wiped out in the early 1900s, according to the Fish and Wildlife website.
“Wolves are returning to Washington on their own, dispersing from populations in nearby states and provinces — wolves were never reintroduced to Washington,” Fish and Wildlife said.
At the end of 2024, there were 230 wolves in 43 packs in eastern Washington.
