How Many Wolves Are Left in the World?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 31, 2020

Wolves are not as numerous as they were hundreds of years ago. According to Defenders of Wildlife, scientists estimate that there are about 200,000 wolves living throughout the world. About 5,000 live in the lower 48 states of the United States, while between 7,000 and 11,000 live in Alaska.

Wolves were originally found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but hunting and habitat destruction by humans reduced their numbers sharply. However, conservationists helped enact protective legislation that helped wolf populations rebound slightly. Additionally, wolves were reintroduced to several areas they formerly inhabited. One such place is Yellowstone National Park, where visitors can see wolves living in the wild.