Are There Wolves in Iowa?

We all know the Iowa Wolves have a presence in Des Moines, being the NBA G League affiliate of the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, there's reason to wonder, especially in frigid temperatures that might result in images from the Liam Neeson movie The Grey entering your mind, are wolves common in the state of Iowa?

Here are some fast facts about wolves to note:

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• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifies gray wolves as an endangered species in Iowa, meaning there is a serious risk of their extinction.
• The Iowa DNR doesn't stock wolves in Iowa.
• Wolves are significantly larger than coyotes. Coyotes typically weigh about 25-40 pounds. In contrast, Wolves can weigh anywhere from 70 to over 110 pounds.

The short answer to the question "are wolves in Iowa?" is: no, not typically. However, over the years, there have been several wolf sightings in the state.

In February 2024, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources discovered a young adult male gray wolf dead in the median of I-80 in Davenport. The animal was estimated to be about two years old, and it was discovered the wolf had tapeworms, which might've contributed to its cause of death.

In May 2014, a grey wolf was spotted in Iowa for the first time in 89 years. A hunter mistook it for a coyote — a common mistake — and shot and killed it. The wolf was a 65-70 pound female. The hunter wasn't cited because he believed the animal to be a coyote and cooperated with authorities. He even brought the wolf to them.

In short, wolf sightings in the state of Iowa are very rare, but still possible. Should you encounter a wolf, the move would be to alert local authorities, or even the Iowa DNR. The Iowa DNR can be reached at 515-725-8200.