Gray Wolf Timeline
Genus species: Canis Lupus
- 1930's - Gray wolves were deliberately wiped out from the western United States. Settlers believed wolves caused wildspread livestock losses. Wolves were pursued with more determination than any other animal in United States History.
- 1974 - The gray wolf is officially listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
- 1980's - Wolves begin to successfully re-colonize northwest Montana.
- 1994 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service introduced Canadian wolves into Yellowstone and parts of Idaho and Montana in an effort to increase the population.
- 1995 - A reintroduced female wolf gives birth to eight pups in Yellowstone. This is the first gray wolf birth in the park in 70 years.
- 2002 - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces its intention to down list the species in the East and delist in the West.
- 2003 - The Western and Eastern Distinct Population Segments are reclassified as "threatened" rather than "endangered".
- 2004 - The Eastern Population Segment of gray wolves is proposed for removal from the list of endangered and threatened species due to recovery.
- Currently, the gray wolf is designated as the following: Southwestern District Population Segment (includes Mexico).
- Eastern Distinct Population Segment – Threatened
- Western Distinct Population Segment – Threatened
- All other areas of the U.S. - Delisted