NEW MEXICO

Defenders of Wildlife today voiced deep concern regarding the capture of a female Mexican gray wolf, known locally as Asha, who has repeatedly shown a great desire for dispersal. The FWS will attempt to breed Asha to restrict her movement upon rerelease into the wild. 

“This wolf posed no threat to anyone,” said Bryan Bird, Defenders’ Southwest program director. “She should be allowed to roam, to seek her own destiny. Wolves will naturally repopulate their historic range and we should be facilitating that instinct and preparing the way with facts and common-sense activities.” 

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish air lifted the Mexican gray wolf F-2754from Coyote, New Mexico to Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility where agency officials paired her with a captive-bred male in hopes of a litter by summer 2024. Asha left the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area for the second time in October 2023 and was captured more than 300 miles north in an area conservationists deem suitable habitat.  

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Communications Specialist
jcovey@defenders.org

News

Image
2018.10.21 - Mexican Gray Wolf Pups - Watson.jpg
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO

Defenders Signs onto Letter Demanding Release of Female Mexican Gray Wolf

Thirty-six conservation groups representing millions of members and supporters from across the United States today sent a formal letter to the U.S. Department of the
Image
Two orcas swimming in a body of water. The orca on the left is jumping out of the water and the one on the right is breaching, just poking its dorsal fin and tops of head out. There are faint mountains in the background.
Washington, DC

New Bill Would Gut Marine Mammal Protections

Rep. Nicholas Begich (R-AK) introduced a draft bill today that would eviscerate the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the sole federal law protecting marine mammals in