Defenders of Wildlife New Mexico Representative Patricia Estrella issued the following statement in response to new U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) data on the Mexican Gray Wolf that shows a 5% increase in the species’ population which now stands at a minimum of 196 in the wild:
“The increase in the number of Mexican gray wolves is encouraging, but there is still significant work to be done to save this critically endangered subspecies. Continuing to improve conservation efforts to reduce illegal mortalities, expand areas where the wolves are allowed to roam and address the genetic problems this species faces will help the population continue to rebound.”
Background:
The Mexican gray wolf is one of the most endangered mammals in North America, with a single population occupying the Blue Range of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico. This population is beset by numerous threats, including widespread illegal killing and inbreeding caused by inadequate releases of more genetically diverse wolves from a captive population.
The best available science indicates that recovery of the Mexican gray wolf requires at least three connected populations totaling approximately 750 individuals, a carefully managed reintroduction effort that prioritizes improving the genetic health of the animals and the establishment of at least two additional populations in the Southern Rockies and Grand Canyon regions.
FWS is currently revising the recovery plan and management rule for the Mexican gray wolf. Under court order, FWS has until April 14, 2022, to complete draft revisions to the recovery plan and until July 1, 2022, to complete final revisions of the management rule. The revised recovery plan must include site-specific management actions that address illegal killings, and the management rule must provide for long-term conservation independent of the recovery plan. In the recent comment period for the draft management rule revisions, a large majority of the public voiced support for science-based management and recovery of the Mexican gray wolf.
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