U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced the population of Mexican gray wolves surpassed 200 head, with a minimum of 241 wild wolves documented in 2022.
The population has increased by 23%—the seventh consecutive year of population growth—from the minimum 2021 population of 196 wolves.
“This milestone has been 25 years in the making,” said Brady McGee, USFWS Mexican wolf recovery coordinator. “To go from zero wild Mexican wolves at the start to 241 today is truly remarkable. In 2022, we recorded more packs, more breeding pairs and a growing occupied range, proving we are on the path to recovery. These achievements are a testament to partner-driven conservation in the west.”
Environmental groups noted while the increase in numbers is a sign of progress, “the genetic diversity of the wild population still needs improvement.” The groups are encouraging more wolves to be released from captivity and the need to roam outside the current Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area.
“This count marks the progress of the last 25 years since wolves were first re-introduced, but there are serious warning signs pointing to a fragile population and inadequate recovery efforts,” said Chris Smith, southwest wildlife advocate for WildEarth Guardians. “We should celebrate that there are 241 lobos, but we will remain vigilant in advocating for their restoration.”
