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gray wolf pokes head over tall brown grass

Gray Wolf Recovery News and Updates

Updated July 24, 2026

Current status under the Endangered Species Act

Following a February 10, 2022, court order, gray wolves in the contiguous 48 states and Mexico – with the exception of the Northern Rocky Mountain population – are now protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as threatened in Minnesota and endangered in the remaining states. Critical habitat for gray wolves in Minnesota and Michigan and the 4(d) rule for gray wolves in Minnesota are also reinstated. 

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