Criteria for listing a species as endangered: https://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/listing.pdf https://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/listing.

Criteria for listing a species as endangered: https://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/listing.pdf https://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa-library/pdf/listing.pdf What are the criteria for deciding whether to add a species to the list? A `species is added to the list when it is determined to be an endangered or threatened species because of any of the following factors: * the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; * overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; * disease or predation; * the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; * other natural or manmade factors affecting its survival. Sounds like gray wolves no longer meet the criteria. In particular, states that lack sufficient current wolf populations can protect them within the state (California and the northeast come to mind). Personal bias: I'm glad they are part of the ecosystem. I'd like to see one sometime, but probably more comfortable while I'm in a car rather than a tent/hiking, though I understand they are still pretty wary of humans. I do miss seeing the Yellowstone elk herds that have become much more timid since the reintroduction.