History of Wolf in Timeline

The wolf, or grey wolf, is a canine species native to Eurasia and North America. It is the largest wild member of the Canidae family. While over thirty subspecies exist, the term "grey wolf" generally refers to naturally-occurring wild subspecies. Wolves are distinguished from other Canis species by their less pointed ears and muzzle, shorter torso, and longer tail. They are closely related to species like coyotes and golden jackals, capable of producing fertile hybrids. Wolf fur is typically a mix of white, brown, grey, and black, though Arctic subspecies can be predominantly white.

1905: Last Japanese Wolf Killed

The last Japanese wolf was captured and killed in 1905.

1921: Custer Wolf and Coyotes Interaction

According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1921, the infamous Custer Wolf relied on coyotes to accompany him and warn him of danger.

1954: Wolf Protection in Israel

Israel has protected its wolves since 1954 and has maintained a moderately sized population through effective enforcement of conservation policies.

1963: Publication of Never Cry Wolf

Farley Mowat's largely fictional memoir Never Cry Wolf was published in 1963.

1963: Wolf Specimen from Southern China Collected

In 1963, a museum specimen of a wolf from southern China showed a genome that was 12–14% admixed from an unknown canid.

1972: Wolf Protection in India

The wolf has been protected in India since 1972.

1973: Endangered Species Act Protection

In 1973, wolves were given protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

1977: Mexican Wolf Capturing Collaboration

From 1977 to 1980, the Mexican and U.S. governments collaborated in capturing all Mexican wolves remaining in the wild to prevent their extinction and established captive breeding programs for reintroduction.

1979: Berne Convention on European Wildlife

In 1979, the wolf is strictly protected under the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Appendix II).

1980: Mexican Wolf Capturing Collaboration

1980: European Wolf Rebound

Since 1980, European wolves have rebounded and expanded into parts of their former range.

1992: Council Directive on Conservation of Habitats

In 1992, the wolf is strictly protected under the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora (Annex II and IV).

1998: Wolf Legal Protection in China

Wolves have been legally protected in China since 1998.

1999: Mitochondrial DNA Study

In 1999, a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) study influenced W. Christopher Wozencraft's decision in listing subspecies of Canis lupus.

2002: Rabid Wolf Attacks Study

During the fifty years up to 2002, there were eight fatal attacks in Europe and Russia from rabid wolves, and more than two hundred in southern Asia.

2003: Global Wild Wolf Population Size

In 2003, the global wild wolf population was estimated at 300,000.

2005: Mammal Species of the World Publication

In 2005, the third edition of Mammal Species of the World was published, and the mammologist W. Christopher Wozencraft listed 36 wild subspecies under Canis lupus and proposed two additional subspecies: familiaris and dingo.

2007: Wolf population in the northwest Iberian peninsula

As of 2007, the wolf population in the northwest Iberian peninsula was around 2,500.

2016: Genomic Study on Wolf Divergence

A 2016 genomic study suggests that Old World and New World wolves split around 12,500 years ago, followed by the divergence of the lineage that led to dogs from other Old World wolves around 11,100–12,300 years ago.

2016: Estimates of Wolf Numbers in Europe

As of 2016, estimates of wolf numbers include: 4,000 in the Balkans, 3,460–3,849 in the Carpathian Mountains, 1,700–2,240 in the Baltic states, 1,100–2,400 in the Italian Peninsula.

2017: Wolf Range Across Mainland China

2017 evidence suggests that wolves range across all of mainland China.

2018: Wolf Population in Great Lakes States

As of 2018, wolf repopulation in Midwestern United States has been concentrated in the Great Lakes states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan where wolves number over 4,000.

2019: Indian Wolf Population Estimate

As of 2019, it is estimated that there are around 2,000–3,000 Indian wolves in the country.

2019: IUCN Workshop on New Guinea Singing Dog and Dingo

In 2019, a workshop hosted by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission's Canid Specialist Group considered the New Guinea singing dog and the dingo to be feral Canis familiaris, therefore not assessed for the IUCN Red List.

2021: Dog Gene Flow Study

In 2021, a genetic study found that the dog's similarity to the extant grey wolf was the result of substantial dog-into-wolf gene flow, with little evidence of the reverse.