In 2023, the wild population of Mexican wolves experienced yet another year of expansion, as indicated by the annual survey findings released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The census conducted in 2023 showed a minimum of 257 Mexican wolves spread throughout Arizona and New Mexico. This rise signifies the eighth consecutive year of population growth, marking the longest unbroken period of expansion since the recovery initiatives were initiated.
Compared to the minimum count of 242 wolves in 2022, the 2023 census demonstrated a six percent increase in population. This growth underscores the effectiveness of conservation efforts aimed at restoring the Mexican wolf population in its native habitat.
“In the aggregate, the 2023 data points out that Mexican wolf recovery has come a long way since the first release,” Jim deVos, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mexican Wolf Coordinator, said.
“Each year, the free-roaming Mexican wolf population numbers increase and the areas they occupy expand. Genetic management using pups from captivity is also showing results. In total, 99 pups carefully selected for their genetic value have been placed in 40 wild dens since 2016, and some of these fosters have produced litters of their own. While recovery is in the future, examining the last decade of data certainly provides optimism that recovery will be achieved,” deVos added.
From November to February, the Interagency Field Team diligently gathers information on the Mexican wolf population. This period is crucial because it’s when the population is most stable. The team employs a range of methods, including ground and aerial surveys, remote cameras, scat collection, and visual observation, to ensure accurate data collection.
Consistently conducting population counts during this time enables the team to track year-to-year trends effectively. This approach allows for reliable comparisons, aiding in understanding population dynamics and identifying conservation needs.
In 2023, the field team achieved notable success with their fostering efforts. A minimum of 15 fostered Mexican wolf pups survived to breeding age by that point. Moreover, at least 10 of these fostered wolves successfully bred and produced litters in the wild. These efforts have led to over 20 litters from fostered Mexican wolves, and some of their offspring have continued the cycle by producing pups themselves. This success underscores the importance and effectiveness of fostering programs in enhancing the Mexican wolf population.
“It’s encouraging to see success across the board with our recovery efforts,” Brady McGee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Mexican Wolf Recovery Coordinator, said. “Having fostered Mexican wolves survive, disperse, pair up, breed, and start packs of their own tells us that fostering is working. These genetically diverse wolves, which came from captivity as pups and were placed into wild dens, play a vital role in boosting the genetic diversity of the wild population.”
The Mexican wolf, recognized as an endangered subspecies distinct from the gray wolf, receives special protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Efforts to conserve this subspecies began in 1977 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and its partners initiated a bi-national captive breeding program. This program started with only seven Mexican wolves as founders. In 1998, the first Mexican wolves were reintroduced to the wild as part of ongoing conservation efforts.
Currently, there are around 350 Mexican wolves residing in more than 60 facilities across the United States and Mexico. These facilities are part of the Mexican Wolf Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program, aimed at maintaining and reintroducing Mexican wolves into their native habitats.
The significant presence of Mexican wolves in these facilities today is largely thanks to the remarkable efforts of Rory T. McBride. McBride, once a legendary trapper of these magnificent creatures, redirected his skills and passion to work with the U.S. government to save them from extinction. His decision to retire his rifles and traps and collaborate in conservation efforts has been instrumental in preserving this species.
As a recognized subspecies, Canis lupus baileyi, the Mexican wolf faced near-extinction in the United States by 1970, leaving only a small, isolated population in northern Mexico, often persecuted by humans. McBride’s captures provided the foundation for a captive breeding program initiated by the Fish and Wildlife Service. This program has yielded significant results, with Mexican wolves now thriving in various captive facilities, offering hope for the species’ recovery.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
