Map Shows States With Most Gray Wolves as Trump Signs Delisting Order
September 05, 2026 | Source: Newsweek | by Joe Edwards
President Donald Trump has ordered a federal review of the protected status of gray wolves and Mexican wolves, launching a process that could lead to rolling back Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for them across the United States.
Under an executive order signed Friday, the interior secretary is directed to determine whether gray or Mexican wolves meet the criteria for delisting or downlisting, and to initiate rulemaking if warranted.
The order also mandates legislative recommendations, closer coordination with states on local protections, updated compensation standards for livestock losses and streamlined authorization for the lethal removal of wolves when necessary.