But wolves returned to the valleys more rapidly than expected, and Government biologists feared the prey species would resume their precipitous decline.

The report said that to estimate how the endangered species in the United States are faring, the agency's investigators had to interview Government biologists around the country.

The birth of the cubs, two of which have been sighted, was greeted with excitement by Government biologists and by conservationists.

Loic Antoine, a Government biologist, said the dolphins killed represented about 1.5 percent of those in the area.

"No one respects the spawning season, the size of the fish or anything else anymore," said Angelo Francisco, a Government biologist stationed here.

But Government biologists and conservationists warn that the return of the striped bass is fragile.

The whales were led from hole to hole by the whalers and Government biologists.

It may also have the most Pacific yews in the nation, Government biologists say.

A report on the conference, written by Government biologists, provided strong evidence that the owl population is declining and that the trend is accelerating.

"They could take over the Andean forests," warned Alejandro Gonzalez, a Government biologist.