Background

On April 2, 2009, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule that established a distinct population segment (DPS) of the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains, and revised the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife by removing gray wolves within the Northern Rocky Mountain DPS boundaries, except in Wyoming. The final rule becomes effective on May 4, 2009. 

The Northern Rocky Mountain DPS includes a portion of Eastern Oregon, east of the centerline of Highway 395 and Highway 78 north of Burns Junction and that portion of Oregon east of the centerline of Highway 95 south of Burns Junction (view boundary map). Any gray wolves located west of this line in Oregon are still federally listed as endangered.  In Oregon, gray wolves are state-listed as endangered, regardless of location.