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STATE MANAGEMENT: Minnesota laws continue to protect wolves in the state, even after they were delisted from the federal Endangered Species Act. Jan. 15 is the deadline for farmers to apply for Minnesota’s Wolf-Livestock Conflict Prevention Grants.
While the federal Endangered Species Act protections for wolves ended Jan. 4, Minnesota laws continue to protect wolves and provide stewardship guidance.
Minnesota, which has the largest wolf population in the lower 48 states, is home to an estimated 2,700 wolves across nearly 40,000 square miles of northern and central Minnesota, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
Per existing state law, Minnesota recognizes two wolf management zones. Zone A, the northeastern part of the state, has more protections for wolves, while Zone B, which represents the southern two-thirds of the state, has more flexibility for people to manage wolves to protect livestock and pets