History of Wolf in Timeline

The wolf, or grey wolf, is a canine native to Eurasia and North America. It is the largest wild member of the Canidae family, distinguished by its less pointed ears and muzzle, shorter torso, and longer tail compared to other Canis species. Though over thirty subspecies exist, the term 'grey wolf' usually refers to naturally occurring wild subspecies. Wolves can interbreed with smaller Canis species like coyotes and jackals. Their fur is typically mottled white, brown, grey, and black, with arctic subspecies sometimes being nearly all white.

1905: Last Japanese Wolf Killed

In 1905, the last Japanese wolf was captured and killed.

1921: Custer Wolf Relied on Coyotes, U.S. Department of Agriculture Press Release

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

1954: Israel Protects Wolves

Israel has protected its wolves since 1954 and has maintained a moderately sized population of 150 through effective enforcement of conservation policies.

1963: Publication of Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Farley Mowat's largely fictional memoir, Never Cry Wolf, was published in 1963. The book is widely considered the most popular book on wolves, having been adapted into a Hollywood film.

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1963: Museum Specimen of Wolf Shows Admixture From Unknown Canid

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

1972: Wolf Protected in India

The wolf has been protected in India since 1972.

1973: Wolves Given Protection Under Endangered Species Act (ESA)

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

1977: Collaboration to prevent extinction of Mexican wolves begins

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 the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats

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

1980: Collaboration to prevent extinction of Mexican wolves ends

1980: European Wolves Rebound and Expand

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

1992: Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural 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) in many EU countries.

1998: Wolves Legally Protected in China

Wolves have been legally protected in China since 1998.

1999: Mitochondrial DNA Study Used for Subspecies Classification

In 1999, W. Christopher Wozencraft referred to a 1999 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) study as one of the guides in forming his decision on the 38 subspecies of C. lupus.

2002: Rabid wolf attack statistics

Up to 2002, there were eight fatal wolf attacks in Europe and Russia and over two hundred in southern Asia.

2003: Global Wild Wolf Population Estimated at 300,000

In 2003, the global wild wolf population was estimated at 300,000. Wolf population declines have been arrested since the 1970s.

2005: Mammal Species of the World, Third Edition

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

2007: Wolf Numbers in the Northwest Iberian Peninsula

As of 2007, there were around 2,500 wolves in the northwest Iberian peninsula.

2016: Estimates of Wolf Numbers in the Balkans

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

2016: Genomic Study Suggests Split Between Old and New World Wolves

In 2016, a 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.

2017: Evidence Suggests Wolves Range Across Mainland China

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

2018: Wolf Population in Great Lakes States Numbers Over 4,000

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

2019: Estimated Number of Indian Wolves

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

2019: IUCN/Species Survival Commission's Canid Specialist Group Workshop

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.

2021: Study Finds Himalayan and Indian Plains Wolves Basal to Other Wolves

A 2021 study found that the Himalayan wolf and the Indian plains wolf are part of a lineage that is basal to other wolves and split from them 200,000 years ago.

2021: Genetic Study Finds Dog-Into-Wolf Gene Flow

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.

2025: Wolf Pulls Crab Trap to Access Bait

In 2025, a field report documented a wolf pulling a crab trap's buoy and line to bring the submerged trap to shore and access its bait cup, described as potential tool use.

2026: Reintroduced Mexican Wolf Population Numbers Over 300

As of 2026, the reintroduced Mexican wolf population numbers over 300 individuals.

2026: Global Wild Wolf Population Estimate

In 2026, the global wild grey wolf population is estimated to be between 200,000 and 250,000 individuals and is assessed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).