Photo by Josh Felise on Unsplash (illustrative)
On 20 December 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that the Mexican gray wolf population in the United States had exceeded the interim abundance and release targets in its recovery plan, as well as predictions for gene diversity. The subspecies was rebuilt from just seven captive founders, with releases into the wild starting in 1998.
Key facts
The review compared a five-year U.S. target of 145 wolves with an observed minimum of 242 wolves in 2022.
The wild U.S. population then grew to at least 286 wolves in 2024, the ninth year of growth in a row.
Both the U.S. and Mexican populations kept more than 90% of the gene diversity of the captive population, better than predicted.
A program that places captive-born pups into wild dens has been key to keeping wild wolves genetically healthy.
Why it matters
When releases began in 1998, there were almost no Mexican gray wolves left in the wild. Steady growth shows that a top predator can be restored to the American Southwest when releases, monitoring and genetics are managed together.
Worth noting
The population in Mexico has not grown as hoped: about 35 to 40 wild wolves against a five-year target of 100. Low genetic diversity, conflict with livestock and a proposed U.S. bill to remove Endangered Species Act protections remain serious concerns.