Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
Gray Wolf Status under the ESA
On February 8, 2007 the Service published a final rule that removed Endangered Species Act protection for wolves in the Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment. This final rule only affects gray wolves in this Western Great Lakes Distinct Population Segment (DPS). View information about the final rule to delist the Gray Wolf Western Great Lakes DPS. The final rule went into effect on March 12, 2007.
The following map shows Endangered Species Act status of gray wolves in the lower 48 states, note that the status of gray wolves outside of the Western Great Lakes DPS did not change. Follow this link for a pdf version of the map showing the Endangered Species Act status of gray wolves in the lower 48 states.
Below
are information and links about past changes in the wolf's ESA status and
what we have proposed in the past:
In April,
2003 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) changed the listing
status for the gray wolf in the conterminous U.S. In addition to changes
in ESA status, the 2003 Rule included Special Regulations under section
4(d) of the ESA to address control of depredating gray wolves. A January
31, 2005, ruling from the U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon,
vacated and enjoined the Service's 2003 changes. The Oregon ruling concluded
that the 2003 Distinct Population Segment boundaries
and reclassification decisions were "arbitrary and capricious"
and violated the Endangered Species Act. A May
6, 2005 ruling (PDF) by the Judge provided clarification of the original
ruling. The Vermont District Court ruled
similarly.
The Oregon
Court's ruling invalidated the April 2003 changes.
Therefore, gray wolves in the conterminous states (except Minnesota where
the gray wolf remained listed as threatened) and Mexico were endangered,
except where they were listed as part of an Experimental Population for
reintroduction purposes. Experimental Population Areas are found throughout
Wyoming and in portions of Montana, Idaho, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
2000
Proposed Rule to Reclassify and Delist the Gray Wolf in Portions of the
Conterminous U.S.
2003
Final Rule to Reclassify and Delist the Gray Wolf in Portions of the Conterminous
U.S.
2004
Proposal to Delist the Gray Wolf Eastern Distinct Population Segment
On January
31, 2005, the Oregon U.S. District Court issued an opinion and order on
our 2003 rule that established three gray wolf "Distinct Population
Segments" and downlisted the eastern and western Distinct Population
Segments from endangered to threatened.
Court
Order and Opinion (pdf)
Changes
in Gray Wolf ESA Status and Protection in Light of Oregon Court Ruling
May
6, 2005 Order and Judgement from Oregon District Court (pdf)
- - - - - - -
Revised January 29, 2007
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