Recovery plan
http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/00001/wdfw00001.pdf.
p.64-65
Recovery Objectives
The following recovery objectives have been identified to transition from one listed status to the
next:
1. The gray wolf will be considered for downlisting from state endangered to threatened when 6
successful breeding pairs are present for 3 consecutive years, with:
2 successful breeding pairs in the Eastern Washington region,
2 successful breeding pairs in the Northern Cascades region, and
2 successful breeding pairs distributed in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast region.
2. The gray wolf will be considered for downlisting from state threatened to sensitive when
12 successful breeding pairs are present for 3 consecutive years, with:
4 successful breeding pairs in the Eastern Washington region,
4 successful breeding pairs in the Northern Cascades region, and
4 successful breeding pairs distributed in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast region.
3. The gray wolf will be considered for delisting from state sensitive when:
15 successful breeding pairs are present for 3 consecutive years, with:
4 successful breeding pairs in the Eastern Washington region,
4 successful breeding pairs in the Northern Cascades region,
4 successful breeding pairs distributed in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast region,
and
3 successful breeding pairs anywhere in the state. Or:
In addition to the delisting objective of 15 successful breeding pairs distributed in the three
geographic regions for 3 consecutive years, an alternative delisting objective is also established
whereby the gray wolf will be considered for delisting when:
18 successful breeding pairs are present with the following distribution:
4 successful breeding pairs in the Eastern Washington region,
4 successful breeding pairs in the Northern Cascades region, and
4 successful breeding pairs distributed in the Southern Cascades and Northwest Coast region,
and
6 anywhere in the state.
There is no requirement that wolves must go through each listed stage before downlisting or
delisting if they meet the recovery objectives. If the wolf population increased rapidly in numbers
and distribution, then it may be eligible for skipping a listing stage. For example, if 12 or more
successful breeding pairs became reestablished in the state in the first few years of the plans
implementation and met the distribution objectives for 3 consecutive years, then WDFW could
move ahead with downlisting from endangered to sensitive status.
The way I read the delisting criteria, at least 4 successful breeding pairs in each of the 3 recovery zones , plus at least 3 additional breeding pairs anywhere in the state, successful for three consecutive years; OR at least 4 successful breeding pairs in each of the 3 recovery zones , plus at least 6 additional successful breeding pairs anywhere in the state - in which case the 3 consecutive years requirement is waived. My guess is the latter is the more likely scenario.
Based on the latest on the WDFW website
http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/packs/, eastern Washington has 17 packs, North Cascades has three, and there are none in the Southern Cascades/NW Coast. The biggest impediment to delisting is 4 confirmed breeding pairs or packs in the SC/NWC.
Once delisted, at least 4 packs/breeding pairs in each recovery zone, and at least 18 packs statewide, will need to be met for them to stay delisted. At least, that is my interpretation, I'm NOT part of wolf management in any way.
