Wolves originally went extinct in New York specifically because of unregulated hunting, and deforestation.

Since then, the National Parks foundation has stopped the Deforestation of their habitats within New York, but until they were placed on the Endangered Species list in the 1970’s, hunting was still a huge factor in their disappearance and factored into the populations inability to regenerate

Gray Wolves reached a population of 6,000 within the continental U.S. last year, as compared to the roughly 30,000 Wolves that inhabited the same area a little over a century ago.

Although the Wolf Population has returned to a stable, small portion across the Rocky Mountains, Western Great Lake, and Southern Adirondack Region, the Grey Wolf Population has not returned to New York or the North East.

Under the Endangered Species act, Grey Wolves were given a target species recovery plan, which helped them to regrow their population by being protected from hunting.

With the removal of the Endangered Species Status, Wolves can now be hunted in New York unregulated.

Gray Wolves do not have a large population within our state, but some lone wolves have been spotted over the years, believed to have trekked down from Canada

By classifying the species as extinct instead of endangered within the state, those wandering wolves who have found themselves in upstate New York have had no protection, and rather than being transported to safety when reaching New York Civilization, they have been killed.

These animals need protection, regardless of permanent residency status within the state. The population of Wolves within the north east used to be one of abundance, and with proper care and aid, the population could return.