If an endangered Mexican gray wolf wanders into the northeast corner of Yavapai County after Valentine’s Day, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials will let it stay.
A new rule that Fish and Wildlife is publishing today will take effect on Feb. 15, and it eventually expands by 21-fold the areas where the wolves can roam in Arizona and New Mexico without being captured and moved. It replaces a 17-year-old rule.
Eventually the habitat area will include all of Arizona and New Mexico south of Interstate 40.
“Overall, the (Arizona Game and Fish) department is very happy with the final rule,” said Jim DeVos, the department’s assistant director for wildlife management. “It’s a balanced plan. Nobody got everything they wanted.”
via On the Roam: Wolves on way to Yavapai County – The Verde Independent – Cottonwood, Arizona.