Youth Advocates Honoring Endangered Mexican Wolves on #LoboWeek
The Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) or “lobo” is the most genetically distinct lineage of gray wolves in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the most endangered mammals in North America. By the mid-1980s, hunting, trapping, and poisoning caused the extinction of lobos in the wild, with only a handful remaining in captivity. In 1998, a new chapter in the Mexican wolf’s history began, with a homecoming that changed the landscape.
On March 29, 1998, 11 captive-reared Mexican gray wolves were released to the wild for the first time in Arizona and New Mexico. Missing from the landscape for more than 30 years, the howl of the Mexican wolf was once again greeted by the mountains of the southwest. This week, #LoboWeek, marks the 18th anniversary of this historic event, a significant milestone for the lobo and wildlife conservation!
In honor of this wild anniversary, dedicated youth advocates who founded Wolf Conservation Center P.A.C.K. Fellowship are putting the spotlight on individual Mexican gray wolves. They’re sharing their stories to help educate people about the remarkable contributions and sacrifice these lobos have made on behalf of the recovery of their rare species.
Cate Shares the Story of Mexican Wolf F749.