WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderStatus of gray wolves in Illinois clarified

Status of gray wolves in Illinois clarified

Federal Endangered Species Act protection has been removed for gray wolves in parts of the Midwest.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have removed federal protection for gray wolves, but only in certain areas.

Under this action, which becomes effective January 27th, any gray wolves found north of Interstate 80 in Illinois will be listed as threatened under state law. However, those found south of the interstate will remain federally endangered.

Wolves in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have had their protections removed because they have exceeded their recovery goals and no longer need the Act's protection to survive.

In Illinois, gray wolves are still listed as state-threatened, which makes it illegal for hunters or others to take or possess wolves anywhere in the state.