Biologists in Oregon have counted 124 wolves in their annual tally, marking an 11 percent increase over last year's numbers.

The much-anticipated report also found a 38 percent increase in the number of breeding pairs in the state, where the species was once wiped out due to a bounty.

The count also tallied 13 wolf deaths in 2017, including those of four wolves that were killed illegally.

Sean Stevens, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Oregon Wild, said the report is troubling and comes the same week the state approved killing two wolves in a new pack in Baker County.

"The wolf population is stagnant because poachers and ODFW agents are killing more wolves - this despite the fact that ODFW admits livestock depredations are down from last year. It demands accountability from an agency that insists on killing more wolves every year."

There are now so-called "resident wolves" in nine counties in southern and eastern Oregon.

Wolves were wiped out in Oregon until about 20 years ago; in 2009, there were only 14 counted statewide.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will review the report at a meeting in Astoria next week.

The annual wolf count is considered the minimum known wolf population.

-- The Associated Press and The Oregonian