The Mexican gray wolf known as Taylor, infamous for repeatedly crossing Interstate 40, was found dead sometime between Jan. 17 and 18 along the highway near Grants, NM.
The wolf had established a home range near Mount Taylor despite a federal rule banning wolves north of I-40, and returned multiple times after being removed by state officials.
Greta Anderson of Western Watersheds Project said the animal showed how wolves choose their own habitats and demonstrated the suitability of Mount Taylor for wolf recovery.
The wolf was first found there in spring 2025 and relocated to the Gila National Forest, only to walk back twice. He was the 11th wolf known north of I-40, drew thousands of public supporters and gained a following on social media.
