PORTLAND, Ore. — Wildlife officials have moved forward with the process that could remove the gray wolf from the state’s endangered species list.
The decision Friday by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission came as the number of wolves and breeding pairs have increased in the state. By 2014, there were 77 wolves in 15 known packs.
The state’s conservation goal was to have four breeding pairs for three consecutive years, a goal that was reached earlier this year.
The commission will look at two options: delisting the wolves statewide and partially, in eastern Oregon only. The option of not delisting also remains.
State delisting would not impact a federal endangered listing that includes the state’s western two-thirds.
Commissioners will draft a proposal by June and vote on it in August.
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