Since gray wolves have been listed on the ESA, their recovery has gone exceedingly well, even prompting removal from being considered “threatened” or “endangered” in certain regions of the United States. Due to the significant amount of wolf populations that have become self-sustaining throughout the U.S., the shift in recovery now has many wolf populations designated as “non-essential, experimental populations” under the ESA. Much of the focus now is on ensuring the continued conservation of wolves as top predators, while also protecting the social and economic interests of those who may be directly impacted by the increase in wolf populations (e.g. cattle ranchers).
