Mexican Gray Wolves Making A Comeback In New Mexico & Arizona

These beautiful and endangered animals are growing in number across New Mexico and Arizona but we can't relax as they're still far from thriving.

The Mexican gray wolf population in the wild is at the highest number it's seen in 25 years. Thanks to some human intervention they're multiplying but there are many threats humans can't protect them from ... including our own damn selves.

Many farmers in the area maintain a hatred for these animals that goes back way over 100 years and is what, to a very large degree, put them on the endangered list in the first place.

The warning came Tuesday as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and wildlife agencies in Arizona and New Mexico announced the results of an annual survey, saying there were at least 257 wolves roaming parts of the two states. That’s 15 more than the year before and the most reported in the wild since the reintroduction program began more than 25 years ago. - 12news.com

On the surface, things look good but there are other issues threatening these critters that aren't walking around on 2 legs.

What Else Threatens The Wolves?

Releasing wolves that were raised by humans into the wild always carries the risk that they won't be up to the challenge of living on their own. Nature can be pretty brutal for animals raised in it, those raised in captivity are at a disadvantage.
Mixing wolves in the wild with those fostered in zoos may also create some genetic issues once the wolves begin intermingling and breeding. Sibling rivalry is to be expected, sibling romance can result in weak immune systems and deformities among other things.
Other wolves. If two packs meet up, they will fight and the losers often don't survive the attack.
Other animals. While rare, there are other animal encounters that a wolf may not survive, bears and snakes for example.

Thankfully, overall, the future looks bright as these reintroduction programs, as well as the laws in place to protect wolves in the wild, seem to be working.

GALLERY