State biologists say one or more packs of gray wolves may be living in north-central Washington’s Methow Valley, which would make them the first resident population of the endangered species in the state in nearly 80 years.

According to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, packers have made numerous reports of wolves in the high country in the past couple of years, and residents have made increasing reports in lower elevations. The agency is reviewing two photographs and hopes to gather hair samples or feces to confirm through genetic analysis that the animals seen in areas between the Twisp River and Libby Creek are gray wolves.

Officials say photographs have confirmed the presence of gray wolves in northeastern Washington, but those wolves would not be endangered. In March, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the gray wolf from the endangered list in Washington east of Highway 97 because recovered populations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming are expected to repopulate that area of the state. They are still considered endangered in north-central Washington.

By 1930, wolves were completely killed off in the state through shooting, trapping, poisoning and government bounties. There have been reliable wolf sightings in the Methow dating back to the early 1990s, but only sporadic, unconfirmed reports of wolf packs. (AP)