Mexican Grey Wolves are very rare, their numbers dropped to 7 in 1973, but are now back up to 196 individuals, a 5% increase from 2020.
Habitat
Mexican Grey Wolves are native to the mountainous woodland of Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
Description
At between 66 and 81cm high at the shoulder, Mexican Grey Wolves have long legs and elegantly slender body, weighing between 27 and 36kg.
Diet
El Lobo eat hooved animals such as elk and deer. They hunt as a pack, with all grown adults helping to bring down the one animal. Young, old or sick animals are usually targeted as they are easier to kill.
Threats
The greatest threat to Mexican Grey Wolves is illegal trapping and poisoning. Prior to 1976, trapping and poisoning of El Lobo was prolific and encouraged. In 1950 the Fish and Wildlife Service started sending poison and staff to set up a wolf-poisoning programme to Mexico as a form of foreign aid. By 1973 there were only 5 wild wolves left.
The current wolf populations are also lacking genetic diversity due to the fact there were so few left. This means they are more susceptible to diseases or illnesses.
How to Help
Reintroduction of Mexican Grey Wolves began in 1998 in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. In 2011 some wolves were introduces into Sonora, Mexico where a population of approx 30 wolves now live.
The Fish and Wildlife Service now release wolves into the wild and other organisations such as the Endangered Species Coalition and the Wolf Conservation Centre help protect El Lobo.
References
Biological Diversity - https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Mexican_gray_wolf/
Wolf Conservation Centre - https://nywolf.org/learn/mexican-gray-wolf/
Endangered Species Coalition - https://www.endangered.org/animals/mexican-gray-wolf/
Animalia - https://animalia.bio/mexican-gray-wolf
Smithsonian Magazine - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/eleven-mexican-gray-wolf-pups-released-into-the-wild-180980213/
Fish and Wildlife Service - https://www.fws.gov/program/conserving-mexican-wolf
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species_Survival_Plan
Mexican Grey Wolves are native to the mountainous woodland of Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
Description
At between 66 and 81cm high at the shoulder, Mexican Grey Wolves have long legs and elegantly slender body, weighing between 27 and 36kg.
Diet
El Lobo eat hooved animals such as elk and deer. They hunt as a pack, with all grown adults helping to bring down the one animal. Young, old or sick animals are usually targeted as they are easier to kill.
Threats
The greatest threat to Mexican Grey Wolves is illegal trapping and poisoning. Prior to 1976, trapping and poisoning of El Lobo was prolific and encouraged. In 1950 the Fish and Wildlife Service started sending poison and staff to set up a wolf-poisoning programme to Mexico as a form of foreign aid. By 1973 there were only 5 wild wolves left.
The current wolf populations are also lacking genetic diversity due to the fact there were so few left. This means they are more susceptible to diseases or illnesses.
How to Help
Reintroduction of Mexican Grey Wolves began in 1998 in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. In 2011 some wolves were introduces into Sonora, Mexico where a population of approx 30 wolves now live.
The Fish and Wildlife Service now release wolves into the wild and other organisations such as the Endangered Species Coalition and the Wolf Conservation Centre help protect El Lobo.
References
Biological Diversity - https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/mammals/Mexican_gray_wolf/
Wolf Conservation Centre - https://nywolf.org/learn/mexican-gray-wolf/
Endangered Species Coalition - https://www.endangered.org/animals/mexican-gray-wolf/
Animalia - https://animalia.bio/mexican-gray-wolf
Smithsonian Magazine - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/eleven-mexican-gray-wolf-pups-released-into-the-wild-180980213/
Fish and Wildlife Service - https://www.fws.gov/program/conserving-mexican-wolf
Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species_Survival_Plan