Gray wolves, or timber wolves, are off the endangered species list in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, the federal government announced last month. The population was granted protection in 1974 when they numbered only a few hundred. Today, there are 3,020 wolves in Minnesota, 460 in Wisconsin, and 430 in upper Michigan. With the delisting, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Interior Department will transfer oversight to the states.

The agencies also proposed reducing the protective status of the northern Rocky Mountain population of gray wolves. Delisting of the bald eagle is expected soon, as well.