Wolf Delisting In Wyoming Nears

A sort of summit between Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and US Fish and Wildlife Director Dan Ashe yesterday has resulted in an agreement in principle leading to the de-listing of wolves in Wyoming.  Salazar told reporters that it was an historic day, and with the resolution of a few details, a final agreement could be published by late September. The key to the discussions now is a so-called “flex line” for the southern boundary where the wolves would be more protected.  That line may include the area south of the Snake River Canyon to allow for the seasonal movement of wolves as they follow game.  The agreement calls for 15 pairs of wolves and 150 individual animals as a minimum to be maintained in Yellowstone National Park and Wyoming combined – 10 packs and 100 wolves should be maintained outside of the park.  Currently, Governor Mead says the state has approximately 340 wolves in the state; so when de-listing occurs, quoting Mead, “we’re certainly looking at a reduction.”  However, Mead says the state’s management policy will be a conservative one.