Endangered Mexican Gray Wolf Targeted for Killing Over Livestock Kills

As of August 23rd, 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is planning to kill an endangered Mexican gray wolf due to livestock depredations. This decision has drawn criticism from environmental advocacy groups, who are urging the agency to reconsider.

The agency has already killed at least three wolves this year over livestock kills, including a female wolf in Catron County, New Mexico last week. Arizona Game and Fish also euthanized an ill wolf pup when relocating a pack in May. The Fish and Wildlife Service says it is committed to the conservation and recovery of Mexican wolves, but also acknowledges the growing concerns from local communities about the impacts on livestock and human safety.

The Center for Biological Diversity is particularly concerned about the plan to kill a young adult male wolf, M3008, from the Bear Canyon pack. They argue that this wolf holds significant genetic value for the overall Mexican wolf population and subspecies. The agency claims the wolf's genetics will continue in the wild through its siblings and father.

Livestock producers, however, argue that the confirmed livestock kills are just the tip of the iceberg. The president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, Bronson Corn, estimates that for every four confirmed depredations, there are likely 15 more that go unreported. He says the compensation payments do not come close to covering the actual value of the animals killed by wolves.

The Fish and Wildlife Service's removal order for M3008 is set to expire at the end of August, but it remains unclear if the wolf has already been killed. Conservationists warn that the loss of genetically valuable wolves could put the entire Mexican wolf population at risk of extinction in the long run.