Defenders' Experts
Current Status of Reintroduced Mexican Wolves
The final environmental impact statement for the reintroduction of Mexican wolves predicted that by the 6th year of the program, there would be 102 wild wolves, and 18 breeding pairs. Instead, by early 2009, (year 11), we had only 52 wild wolves total, and only 2 breeding pairs. (See Feb. 6, 2009 press release for details.)
Almost 100 captive bred Mexican wolves have been released, and the wolves are doing their part – forming packs, killing elk, pairing up and raising pups. So why is the population so low?
There are two primary reasons the population is struggling, both linked to strong local opposition to the reintroduction project. The first is over-management and removal of wolves by the agencies charged with overseeing their recovery. Currently, there are 34 wolves that are sitting in captivity for preying on livestock, and 11 wolves have been killed for the same reason. While we support the prompt removal of problem wolves, current management of the reintroduced population goes too far – limiting where the wolves can establish territories, removing too many, and working without the guidance of a scientific recovery plan. The second problem is illegal killing – 32 wolves have been poached.
Given the perilously low numbers of Mexican wolves now left in the wild, Defenders of Wildlife believes that the killing or permanent removal of any more wolves should be a last resort. Defenders is calling on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to increase its use of alternative approaches to wolf management, including proactive techniques to reduce conflicts between wolves and livestock, such as using special fencing, relocating livestock during denning season and hazing wolves away from livestock.
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