A wild Mexican gray wolf pair was located near Flagstaff, Arizona earlier this month, sparking both excitement and concern among conservation groups including New Mexico Wild. The Arizona Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have captured and collared a female wolf, intending to use her to trap her mate. They plan to relocate both wolves south of Interstate 40, which serves as the arbitrary boundary for the Mexican Wolf Experimental Recovery Area.
New Mexico Wild and other conservation advocates argue this approach misses a crucial opportunity to study natural wolf behavior and habitat connectivity. We suggest that allowing the wolves to roam freely could provide valuable insights into wolf needs and support the restoration of ecological health in the Grand Canyon region.
In their press release, Lobos of the Southwest and other advocates highlight the inconsistency in agency approaches, pointing out that wolves are sometimes relocated for lack of mates, while in this case, a potential pair is being separated and moved. They call this management strategy “unscientific and heavy-handed.”
We join advocates in urging the agencies to:
- Allow the wolves to remain in their current location
- Monitor rather than relocate the pair
- Educate the public about wolf protections under the Endangered Species Act
We support natural wolf recovery and advocate for science-based management practices that allow for the free movement of these endangered animals. #WolvesBelong!
