The wolf, a large canine species scientifically known as *Canis lupus*, is native to Eurasia and North America. It is the largest living member of the Canidae family, which includes dogs, dingoes, coyotes, and jackals. While closely related to other *Canis* species and capable of interbreeding, the gray wolf is distinguished by its physical characteristics such as a less pointed muzzle and ears, a shorter body, and a longer tail. The wolf's fur color can vary, with Arctic subspecies often exhibiting an almost entirely white coat.
1905: Last Japanese Wolf Killed
The last known Japanese wolf was captured and killed in 1905.
1921: Custer Wolf and Coyote Interactions
In 1921, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released a statement mentioning the Custer Wolf, a notorious wolf in the United States, and its interactions with coyotes. The wolf reportedly relied on coyotes for companionship and warnings but maintained a dominant role.
1954: Wolf Protection in Israel
Israel began providing explicit legal protection to wolves in 1954 and has since maintained a stable population of around 150 wolves due to effective conservation efforts.
1963: Publication of "Never Cry Wolf"
Farley Mowat's memoir "Never Cry Wolf", published in 1963, gained significant popularity and influenced public perception of wolves, portraying them as social and family-oriented animals rather than vicious beasts.
1963: Wolf Specimen from Southern China Shows Genetic Admixture
In 1963, a museum specimen of a wolf from southern China was found to have a genome with 12-14% admixture from an unidentified canid species, highlighting genetic diversity within wolf populations.
1972: Wolf Protection in India
Wolves gained legal protection in India in 1972.
1973: Endangered Species Act Protection for Wolves
In 1973, wolves were granted protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the United States, marking a turning point in their conservation.
1977: Mexican Wolf Recovery Program Begins
In 1977, the Mexican and U.S. governments launched a collaborative effort to save the endangered Mexican wolf from extinction.
1979: Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
The Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, signed in 1979, included strict protection for wolves in many European Union countries under Appendix II.
1980: European Wolf Population Rebound
Beginning in 1980, European wolf populations began to rebound and expand into areas where they had previously been eradicated, likely due to the decline of traditional pastoral and rural economies.
1980: Capture of Remaining Mexican Wolves and Captive Breeding
By 1980, all remaining wild Mexican wolves had been captured as part of the recovery program, and captive breeding programs were established to support reintroduction efforts.
1992: Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora
In 1992, the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora provided further legal protection for wolves in Europe under Annex II and IV.
1998: Legal Protection for Wolves in China
Historically persecuted in China, wolves were granted legal protection in 1998.
1999: Mitochondrial DNA Study Guides Wolf Subspecies Classification
A 1999 study using mitochondrial DNA analysis served as a guide for classifying wolf subspecies in the third edition of Mammal Species of the World.
2002: Rabid Wolf Attacks
In the 50 years leading up to 2002, there were eight documented fatal attacks by rabid wolves in Europe and Russia, and over 200 in Southern Asia. This highlights the danger of rabies in wolves, particularly in certain regions.
2003: Global Wild Wolf Population and Conservation Status
In 2003, the global wild wolf population was estimated at 300,000, and the species was classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its wide range and stable population.
2003: Global Wild Wolf Population Estimated
In 2003, the global wild wolf population was estimated to be around 300,000 individuals.
2005: Mammal Species of the World, 3rd Edition
In 2005, the third edition of Mammal Species of the World was published, in which mammalogist W. Christopher Wozencraft listed 36 wild subspecies of C. lupus and proposed two additional subspecies: familiaris and dingo.
2007: Estimated Wolf Population in Northwest Iberian Peninsula
In 2007, the estimated wolf population in the northwest Iberian peninsula was around 2,500.
2016: Genomic Study on Wolf and Dog Divergence
A 2016 genomic study suggested that Old World and New World wolves diverged around 12,500 years ago, followed by the split between the dog lineage and other Old World wolves approximately 11,100–12,300 years ago.
2016: Genomic Study Suggests Wolf Population Bottleneck and Radiation
A 2016 genomic study suggested that a population bottleneck occurred in wolves, followed by a rapid radiation from an ancestral population during or after the Last Glacial Maximum.
2016: Estimated Wolf Population in Europe
As of 2016, estimated wolf numbers in Europe included: 4,000 in the Balkans, 3,460–3,849 in the Carpathian Mountains, 1,700–2,240 in the Baltic states, and 1,100–2,400 in the Italian peninsula.
2017: Evidence of Wolves Throughout Mainland China
Evidence emerged in 2017 suggesting that wolves are present across all of mainland China.
2018: Wolf Population in the Great Lakes Region
By 2018, the wolf population in the Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan had grown to over 4,000 individuals.
2019: IUCN Workshop on New Guinea Singing Dog and Dingo Classification
In 2019, a workshop hosted by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission's Canid Specialist Group determined that the New Guinea singing dog and the dingo should be considered feral Canis familiaris and therefore excluded from IUCN Red List assessments.
2019: Estimated Indian Wolf Population
In 2019, it was estimated that there were between 2,000 and 3,000 Indian wolves distributed across various states in the country.
2021: Study on Himalayan and Indian Plains Wolf Lineage
A 2021 study revealed that the Himalayan wolf and the Indian plains wolf belong to a distinct lineage that diverged from other wolves approximately 200,000 years ago.
2021: Genetic Study on Dog and Wolf Ancestry
In 2021, a genetic study revealed that the genetic similarity between dogs and gray wolves is primarily due to gene flow from dogs into wolf populations, rather than the reverse.
2024: Reintroduced Mexican Wolf Population Reaches Over 250
As of 2024, the reintroduced Mexican wolf population had surpassed 250 individuals, highlighting the success of conservation efforts.