After an Eight-Year Absence, The Nevada Department of Wildlife has confirmed the presence of three wolves in northern Elko County, only around 400 miles northeast of Lassen County. This marks the first documented sighting of wolves in the state since 2016.
A helicopter crew conducting moose monitoring discovered the wolves on March 17. Wildlife officials say they were in an area characterized by high desert sagebrush and pine-juniper forests. Department staff collected DNA samples and set up trail cameras to monitor their activity.
Northern Elko County’s abundance of large herd animals like moose, elk, and deer are a suitable food source for wolves. While their origin remains uncertain, the wolves could likely have dispersed from the Northern CA region, Oregon, or Idaho. A wolf can travel as far as 30 miles a day and occupy ranges of 1,000 square miles.
Protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, any wolves dispersing or establishing packs in Nevada are safeguarded from harm or killing. Conservationists emphasize the importance of ensuring their protection to support wolf recovery efforts in the western region.
