Mexican Wolf's Mate Found Dead

Asha, a Mexican gray wolf who gained local affection, has experienced the loss of her mate, M1966, also identified as Arcadia. Arcadia was discovered deceased in March, following his mating with Asha last year while in captivity. The Mexican Wolf Recovery Program's quarterly report did not specify the circumstances or location of his death.

In February, a captive-born litter of two pups, fp3063 and fp3064, was introduced to their pack, designated Quartz by wildlife officials. Asha had previously mated with Arcadia, resulting in five pups at the Sevilleta Mexican Wolf Management Facility. Plans are underway to release the entire Quartz pack onto private land in New Mexico this summer.

The Quartz pack was eventually released at Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch. This release is part of a broader strategy by Fish and Wildlife to increase the survival and genetic diversity of Mexican wolves by releasing bonded adults with their pups into the wild. However, success rates have been varied since the program's inception in 2014.

Asha, born in the wild in Arizona in 2021, gained public attention in 2023 for venturing into northern New Mexico. The Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team continues its work, facing scrutiny from livestock owners concerned about depredation while managing these endangered animals.

Between 1998 and 2024, approximately half of the 314 recorded wolf deaths were due to poaching, with vehicle collisions accounting for about 15%. In the first quarter of 2026, six wolf deaths occurred in Arizona and 11 in New Mexico. The Fish and Wildlife Service offers substantial rewards for information leading to the conviction of those involved in wolf killings.