President Donald Trump has initiated a federal review of the protected status of gray wolves and Mexican wolves. This action could potentially lead to a rollback of their protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) across the United States. The executive order signed by Trump directs the interior secretary to assess whether these wolf populations should be delisted or downlisted, and to start rulemaking if necessary.
Review Process
The order also calls for legislative recommendations, better coordination with states on local protections, revised compensation standards for livestock losses, and streamlined authorization for the removal of wolves when required. Alaska currently has the largest estimated gray wolf population in the country, followed by Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Idaho, according to the Wolf Conservation Center.
Gray Wolf Populations by State
- Alaska: 7,700-11,200 (as of 2017)
- Minnesota: 2,919 (winter 2022-23)
- Wisconsin: approximately 1,200 (2024-25)
- Idaho: approximately 1,129 (2025)
- Michigan: 762 (2023)
- Montana: 725 (2025)
- Washington: 270 (April 2026)
- Wyoming: 253 (December 31, 2025)
- Oregon: 230 (April 2026)
- New Mexico: 175 Mexican gray wolves (2025)
- Arizona: 142 Mexican gray wolves (2025)
- California: around 55 (May 2026)
- Colorado: 32 (March 2026)
Implications of the Order
The executive order will not immediately remove federal protections for wolves. Normally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducts a delisting process that includes evaluating threat recovery, publishing a proposed rule, securing public and expert input, and then issuing a final rule or withdrawing the action. The Trump administration has portrayed this move as support for ranchers against livestock predation, while also addressing industry discontent over increased low-tariff beef imports.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the White House is focused on reducing prices for consumers and aiding ranchers. He remarked that the Department of the Interior, following Trump’s direction, has expanded grazing access on public lands and will now assess the delisting of wolves under the ESA. This effort, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, aims to protect ranchers from predation, strengthen the food supply, and lower costs for families.
Reactions from Industry and Conservation Groups
Cattle producer trade association R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde acknowledged that the broader ranching orders do not resolve every issue immediately but support the administration’s intent to address the persistent challenges faced by cattle producers.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins noted that the measures provide better tools for ranchers and farmers to handle predators threatening livestock. Conversely, Humane World for Animals expressed concerns that reducing protections might endanger decades of wolf recovery efforts, while Western Watersheds Project Deputy Director Greta Anderson criticized the focus as a distraction to placate certain ranchers.
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