Current numbers: 3
Pack status: Active. Designated in 2015.
The Loup Loup Pack was discovered in the Okanogan County’s Loup Loup area in 2015, between Okanogan to the east and Twisp to the west in the Northern Cascades, Washington.
In 2016, state wolf biologists collared three wolves of the pack: a yearling female (WA59F), an adult male (WA61M), and the breeding female (WA60F).
In July 2018, a federal salmon researcher had an encounter with the pack. As she approached their den or rendezvous site, she heard warning yips and barks from two adult wolves of the pack. She climbed a tree and was flown from the area by helicopter. Rendezvous sites are areas where young pups play under adult supervision until they are old enough to range with the pack. Wolves are naturally protective of these sites, but are typically not aggressive. They may follow people at a distance, known as “escorting,” until the person leaves the area the wolves feel protective of. This is normal behavior and not aggressive. Learn more about wolf behavior at https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/canis-lupus#living.
The pack had at least five members as of late 2018 and was confirmed with breeding pair status.
A male wolf (WA88M) was collared in March 2019. He dispersed west into Skagit County but later looped back and was traveling in the Pasayten Wilderness.
Another wolf was collared during the state wildlife agency’s winter survey in January 2020. The survey confirmed three pack members for 2019, but was not able to confirm whether pups were born.
In 2020, a minimum of six wolves were counted, and a successful breeding pair was confirmed. In 2021, seven wolves were confirmed in the pack, and in 2022, 10 wolves were confirmed.
In January 2022, WA128M dispersed from the Loup Loup Pack territory and was tracked as far south as Lake Chelan before a collar failure. He was recaptured by biologists in the Napeequa Pack territory in January 2023 while traveling with WA 137F. In November 2022, WA127F dispersed from the Lookout pack territory and was last tracked in the Loup Loup territory before a collar failure.
WA129F was collared in the Loup Loup pack territory in January 2022 as a pup. She dispersed from her natal pack in late spring 2023 as a 2-year-old. She headed south and was struck by a vehicle attempting to cross I-90 just west of Cle Elum. Just before she was killed, she passed through the territory of the Teanaway Pack and missed the last member of the pack by just weeks. The last Teanaway wolf had roamed the territory alone for nearly a year after his mate disappeared, finally crossing I-90 to the south weeks before WA129F arrived and attempted to do the same.
WA145F was collared in the Loup Loup pack territory as a yearling in January 2023. She dispersed north into British Columbia and then moved back south into the Lookout pack territory. There was a minimum of five wolves counted at the end of 2023.
In September 2023, WA145F began dispersing from the Loup Loup territory and traveled throughout the North Cascades recovery region and into southern British Columbia before localizing in the Reed territory in August 2024. At the end of 2024, there were three known wolves in the pack. The pack was not considered a successful breeding pair for the year.
WDFW biologists captured and collared two adult male wolves in this pack territory in January 2024. One of the wolves died shortly after capture from aspiration pneumonia.
In January 2025, a wolf from this pack was successfully captured and collared.
Photos
Useful Links
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife – Loup Loup Pack
