The U.S. population of Mexican gray wolves grew by 5 percent in 2021, but full recovery is far off/USFWS

The latest census of Mexican gray wolves in the United States shows a 5 percent increase, to 196 individuals, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data. It's a welcome bump up, but the species still needs to be protected so it can move beyond its current listing as an endangered species, according to Defenders of Wildlife.

“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," said Patricia Estrella, the New Mexico representative for Defenders. "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.”

In 2019, the subspecies saw population growth of nearly 25 percent. 

Smaller cousins of North American gray wolves, Mexican wolves long have been endangered. The predators historically ranged "throughout mountainous regions from central Mexico, through southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and southwestern Texas," according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

According to Defenders, the subspecies in the United States occupies 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 conservation organization said in a release.

It's possible that the wolf's historic range touched Saguaro National Park, Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Gila Cliff Dwellings, while Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is thought to be on the fringe of the range. The Mexican wolf is said to prefer mountain woodlands, such as those found in the Rincon District of Saguaro and the high country of Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks. 

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, according to Defenders. 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.