I. INTRODUCTION

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was listed as a Federally Endangered Species in 1967 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and was again listed in 1974 under provisions of the 1973 Endangered Species Act. All gray wolves in the lower 48 states were considered Endangered by the U.S. Government.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) listed the state population as Endangered in 1975, as wolves began to recolonize the state after being extirpated for about 15 or more years. A recovery plan for Wisconsin wolves was initiated in 1989, and its goal of 80-plus wolves for the state was first achieved in 1995.

Because Wisconsin's gray wolf population has recovered from an endangered status, guidelines need to be developed for managing wolves as a threatened species and eventually as a nonlisted species. This plan provides guidelines for managing wolves in Wisconsin for the next 10 to 15 years. These guidelines provide a conservation strategy for maintaining a healthy viable population of gray wolves in the state, and contribute toward national recovery, while addressing problems that may occur with wolf depredation on livestock or pets.

The WDNR is directed by state statute 29.415(7a) to implement programs "directed at conserving, protecting, restoring and propagating selected state endangered and threatened species to the maximum extent practicable". The proposed management plan would provide the guidelines for managing a threatened wolf population, supply criteria for delisting wolves as no longer in jeopardy of extirpation, and provide a conservation plan for managing a delisted wolf population. The goal of this management plan would be to provide long-term conservation of wolf populations in Wisconsin, while being able to adequately address problems that might be caused by wolves.

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