Gray wolf (Canis lupus) The Gray Wolf, being a keystone predator, is an integral component of the ecosystems to which it typically belongs.

Geographic Distribution of the Gray Wolf Gray Wolves are habitat generalists and lived thorughout the northern hemisphere. Gray wolves were once common throughout all of North America, but were exterminated in most areas of the United States by the mid 1930s. Today, their range has been reduced to Canada, Alaska, the Great Lakes, northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest.

Gray Wolf Habitat & Range Gray Wolves packs defend their territories from other wolves. Territory size is a function of prey density and can range from 25-1,500 square miles. Due to the loss of habitat and food, they have been seen traveling almost 800 miles in one direction to find enough food.

Gray Wolfs continues to stay on the Endangered list In 1978, the gray wolf was classifed as an endangered population at the species level (C. lupus) throughout the contiguous United States and Mexico, except for the Minnesota gray wolf population, which was classified as threatened. In 2011, Gray wolf populations in Idaho and Montana were delisted due to recovery. Thanks to the reintroduction of wolves in 1995, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most favored places to see and hear wolves in their native habitat.

Factors that have led to the Gray Wolf Recovery Washington Passes Wolf Compensation and Coexistence Funding Legislation that provided funding compensation to help farmers and ranchers affected by the coexistence. Reintroduction in 1995 and 1996 into the Northern Rockies and greater Yellowstone region and led the way to reintroduce wolves to the Southwest in 1998.

Protective measures to protect the Gray Wolf Following protection under the Endangered Species Act, gray wolves saw tremendous recovery in two areas of their former range. In the western Great Lakes, wolf populations grew from fewer than 1,000 in the 1970s to around 4,500 and wolves expanded their range from Minnesota to Wisconsin and Michigan. Through natural migration from Canada and reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho, wolves returned to the norther Rockies and Cascades and have now grown to a population of more than 1,700 across Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Washington and Oregon

Are all of the measures in place making a difference for the Gray Wolf? By the 1960s, when wolves were finally protected under a precursor to the Endangered Species Act, they had been exterminated from all of the contiguous United States except a portion of Minnesota and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan — victims of an unwillingness on the part of the livestock industry to coexist with nature. I truly feel that the measures under the Endangered Species Act made a very positive impact in our Gray Wolf population. Grew from fewer than 1,000 in the 1970s to around 4,500 and wolves expanded their range from Minnesota to Wisconsin and Michigan. Wolves need connected populations for genetic sustainability, and natural ecosystems need wolves to maintain a healthy balance of species

How do we continue to help in the Gray Wolf Recovery? Support our local Game and Fish and other wildlife agencies and legislatures on stopping reckless wolf management policies, exposing threats to wolves to help ensure a long-term future of a healthy, sustainable wolf population. Gain a better understanding on how Gray Wolves play a key role in keeping ecosystems healthy. They help keep deer and elk populations in check, which can benefit many other plant and animal species. They also help prevent the spread of diseases among these animals.

A REMARKABLE RECOVERY