ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its wolf management plan will split the state into two zones, north and south.

Minnesota takes over management of its gray wolf population from the federal government on Jan. 27.

The DNR says Minnesota’s wolf management plan will protect wolves and monitor their population, but also give owners of livestock and pets more protection from wolf depredation.

The plan splits the state into two management zones. The northern zone, considered the wolf’s core range, will have more protective regulations.

The Obama administration decided last month to drop gray wolves in the Great Lakes region from the federal endangered species list. Minnesota has a stable population of about 3,000 wolves, mostly in northeastern Minnesota, but they range as far south as southern Pine County.

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