The killing of a Mexican gray wolf in New Mexico by federal wildlife agencies has sparked concerns among wolf advocacy groups who say the actions, even if authorized, are harmful to the recovery efforts of the endangered species.
The decision to kill the wolf earlier in August came after a series of at least 14 confirmed and probable wolf-livestock conflicts associated with the Dillon Mountain pack, according to a memo signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Mexican Wolf recovery coordinator Brady McGee.
The pack consists of up to 15 wolves of various ages roaming federal public land near an active cattle grazing allotment, where many of the depredation incidents took place, according the memo.
The wolf was lethally shot on Forest Service lands by airborne federal agents with the U.S.Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Services-Wildlife Services, the agency responsible for conducting such removals. Aerial shooting is a commonly used method for effective animal control operations and has also been used in targeting coyotes and feral swine in New Mexico, according to the USDA.
In a written statement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services communications specialist Aislinn Maestas affirmed the agency’s commitment to the conservation of a healthy wolf population but acknowledged the agency is concerned with the wolves’ impact on ranching.
“The Service is aware and shares the increasing concerns about health and human safety and negative impacts to ranching from the growing wolf population,” said Maestas in the statement.
“The Service carefully considers its management decisions and takes appropriate steps with partners to modify problematic wolf behavior.”
This year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has authorized the killing of at least four endangered Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. One of those killings did not go as planned.
In April, federal agents mistakenly killed a potentially pregnant wolf wearing a tracking collar while executing a lethal removal order for an uncollared wolf in the Bear Canyon pack. The pack was linked to livestock conflicts in the Apache National Forest.
Another lethal removal order has been issued for a male wolf in the Bear Canyon pack, which remains in effect until Aug. 30, according to emails obtained through federal records requests and shared with The Arizona Republic.
The Center for Biological Diversity, an environment advocacy group, is calling on that order to be lifted.
“Gunning down a wolf pup from the air whose precious genes could have helped save her entire subspecies was cruel and will further stall recovery of these animals,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, in a news release.
“There’s still time to call off the helicopter gunmen and halt another unjust execution. One killing is too many, and the death of a second wolf would be heartbreaking,” Robinson said.
Conflict on the range: Mexican gray wolves are moved from Cochise County as locals seek end to species protection
Lobos in limbo
The Mexican gray wolf is a subspecies of gray wolf native to the Southwest that is smaller and genetically distinct from the larger, northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf. The species was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1976 following the near eradication of the species through livestock predator control.
Mexican gray wolves in the wild are all descended from seven, surviving “founder” wolves that made up a binational captive breeding program in the 1980s and 1990s. This small genetic pool makes the endangered wolves susceptible to health conditions caused by inbreeding.
Federal and state wildlife agencies in Arizona and New Mexico collaborate to meet the population goals outlined in the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Plan. In 2024, there were 286 wolves recorded in the wild, marking a ninth consecutive year of population growth.
The Mexican gray wolves in the Bear Canyon and Dillon Mountain packs are a part of an experimental, nonessential population of endangered wolves living in Arizona and New Mexico. The special designation allows federal agencies to trap, haze and kill “problem wolves” that prey on livestock or roam outside of the experimental population area.
The Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area consists of all land in Arizona and New Mexico south of Interstate 40.
For more wildlife news: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic’s weekly environment newsletter.
Asha and ‘Quartz’ pack released into wild
In early August, wildlife agencies released a female wolf, known for her repeated attempts to live outside of the designated wolf area, back into the wild after over 18 months in captivity. The female wolf, named Asha by conservation groups, was released in New Mexico with a mate and five pups as the newly formed Quartz pack.
“The pack will add to the genetic diversity in the wild population, helping meet recovery goals,” said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a written statement after the release. “We, with the Interagency Field Team, are committed to immediately addressing any conflicts if/when they arise in partnership with the local community.”
Though wolf advocacy groups celebrated the release of the pack, it came six weeks after the agency’s original release date which was set for June. In July, 36 conservation groups sent a letter to the Department of Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife calling for the pack’s immediate release.
“Asha should never have been punished with a year and a half in captivity for merely wandering north of I-40, but we’re grateful to the agencies for doing the right thing now and setting this family free,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project, in a news release.
“May her puppies grow up in a world without arbitrary limits on their roaming, and we wish this young family all the best.”
John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@arizonarepublic.com.
Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Feds defend ‘authorized’ killing of Mexican gray wolf in New Mexico