The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week confirmed the discovery of a new northern gray wolf pack in Idaho, moving the recovery timetable for the species ahead by one year. For the gray wolf to be removed from the list of endangered species in the region, 30 pairs must breed for three consecutive years in packs in western Montana, central Idaho, and the greater Yellowstone National Park area. With the recent discovery, the wolf could qualify for removal as soon as 2003. Delisting would normally return wolf management to the states, but the feds have said they would make sure each state had a satisfactory management plan in place before turning over the reins.
