"The gray wolf in Minnesota could go from protected to hunted - perhaps as soon as next fall - after it is removed from the endangered species list in January. "
"If the delisting proceeds as announced Wednesday, it will be the third time that the federal government has removed the wolf's protected status. This time, most experts think it will stick.
After 30 years of protection, the wolf now is more than capable of standing on its own four feet, said state officials and environmental groups.
The iconic predator, long a poster child of wildlife conservationists, has recovered to a stable population of 4,000 in the Upper Midwest. About two-thirds of them are in Minnesota's north woods, by far the largest population of any state. Minnesota officials said there are enough to allow them to be hunted, which could occur as early as next fall."
Josephine Marcotty reports for the Minneapolis Star Tribune December 21, 2011.
SEE ALSO:
"US Gray Wolves Rebound But Face Uncertain Future" (AP)
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