Mexican gray wolf population increases

The number of Mexican gray wolves in the wild jumped by 12 percent in the past year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials said Monday. There are 131 wolves in the wild in New Mexico and Arizona, according to the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team, a task force comprising federal, state and international partners. From November through January, the team conducted ground counts of the wolves in both states and in February conducted aerial counts. Among the team’s findings: The 131 wolves are nearly evenly distributed – 64 in Arizona and 67 in New Mexico. Last year, the team documented 117 of the animals. “This is a relief,” Michael Robinson of the Center for Biological Diversity told the Journal. “But the Mexican gray wolf still faces peril.” Robinson, a critic of how the Fish and Wildlife Service has carried out the program, said there are continuing concerns about the lack of genetic diversity among the wolves. He said too few captive wolves have been released into the wild. Robinson also said the species remains threatened by the removal of wolves from the wild by the Fish and Wildlife Service and by illegal killings. He was critical of the removal of two wolves from the wild in Catron County last month after attacks on livestock there. A removal order was issued for a third that approved the use of lethal force. Robinson and other wildlife advocates later requested the release of the wolves, which were taken to Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in northern Socorro County...MORE