Northern Rocky Mountain Wolves Removed From Endangered Species List as of March 28, 2008  

For Release on March 28, 2008
Contact:    Ed Bangs,       (406) 449-5225, x 204
                  Joan Jewett,    (503) 231-6211
                  Sharon Rose   (303) 236-4580

Today, Friday, March 28, 2008, the northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf is
officially removed from the federal list of endangered species.  The States
of Idaho , Montana and Wyoming will assume full management authority for the
continued conservation of the gray wolf.  This wolf population has exceeded
its recovery goals for the past several years and is now thriving.

Presently, there are more than 1,500 wolves and at least 100 breeding pairs
in Montana , Idaho and Wyoming .  The Service and States will cooperatively
monitor the wolf population for the next five years.

As part of the Service’s delisting action, it designated the northern Rocky
Mountain wolf Distinct Population Segment (DPS) as that area that includes
all of Montana , Idaho , and Wyoming , the eastern third of Washington and
Oregon , and a small corner of north-central Utah .

This action will not affect the status of any wolves outside of the
northern Rocky Mountain wolf DPS.  Wolves outside the boundaries of the
Rocky Mountain DPS and Western Great Lakes DPS (where it was delisted in
2007) will remain listed as endangered.   A dispersing wolf would attain
the status of the area it is in.  For example, if a wolf dispersed to
Colorado , it would be considered endangered, whereas a wolf that moves into
either DPS would be a delisted wolf and under the management of the States.

Once a species is delisted a State or Tribe has sole management
responsibility. The Act includes many safeguards to ensure that the wolf
population will remain recovered for the foreseeable future.   For example,
the Act mandates the Service to monitor the wolf population for at least 5
years after delisting. This helps to ensure the population remains above
recovery levels and emerging threats do not jeopardize the wolf population.
Annual reports and the Service’s analysis of these reports will be posted
on the Service website during that period.  Should the wolf population
again become threatened or endangered, it could be protected under the ESA
again.

Gray wolves were previously listed as endangered in the lower 48 states,
except in Minnesota , where they were listed as threatened.  The wolf
population in the Midwest was delisted in early 2007.  With removal of the
northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves delisted, the Service now
oversees the only remaining gray wolf recovery program, the southwestern
U.S. wolf population.

Wolves in national parks will remain under the management authority of the
National Park Service.  On national wildlife refuges, the individual refuge
should be contacted, unless a prior arrangement has been made with the
state fish and wildlife agency to allow wolf hunting on that refuge.  On
tribal lands the Tribes have management authority, and they should be
contacted.  On other lands, where wildlife is typically managed by the
respective State fish and wildlife agency, (including federal lands such as
those administered by the U.S. Forest Service or BLM) the states should be
contacted.

For more information on northern Rocky Mountain gray wolves, visit
www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to
conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific
excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated
professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our
work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.