Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project News

The Mexican gray wolf Ella, who just last week was located north of I-40 near Mount Taylor in NM, was found dead on March 30, 2025. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has indicated that the cause of Ella’s death is under investigation. We’re deeply saddened that her journey has come to an end. Her roaming will continue to teach us about where Mexican gray wolves choose to be.

Female Mexican gray wolf 2996, named “Ella” by schoolchildren, has peacefully wandered north of Interstate 40 in New Mexico toward Mount Taylor, an area of pristine habitat teeming with wildlife. Conservationists are cheering her on!

The wild population of Mexican gray wolves in the US has increased to a minimum of 286. Conservation groups point to the lack of genetic diversity as a long-term threat to the species, while recognizing lobos are more immediately threatened by potential budget cuts to the program.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department paint a rosy picture of wolf recovery despite recovery failures in Mexico and fairly limited successes in the US.

Advocates are wishing the best for all the pups and their new adoptive families but caution that the over-reliance on fostering is resulting in a rapidly closing window for genetic rescue of Mexican wolves as the population grows and it gets harder to increase gene diversity.