BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhuanet)-- The US Interior Department Thursday unveiled a proposal to remove gray wolves in the western Great Lakes region from the endangered species list.

    An high-ranking offici al from the Interior Department said the department would propose removing the wolf from the endangered species list in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin, where roughly 3,800 live.

    Under the federal proposal, state and tribal governments would take responsibility for ensuring that wolf populations remain healthy. Minnesota and Wisconsin have developed management plans that have been reviewed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

    "Our proposal to delist the gray wolf indicates our confidence that those who will assume management of the species will safeguard its long-term survival," the official said in a conference call with reporters.

    The final decision will be made in eight to 12 months following a public comment period.

    The Fish and Wildlife Service, an arm of the Interior Department, estimates some 4,000 gray wolves now live in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, up from between 700 and 1,000 when the animal was classified as endangered in 1974. Enditem

(Agencies)