Wolf Conservation Center Press Releases
For immediate release April 8, 2026 TUCSON, Ariz. – Conservationists are celebrating the historic translocation of two families of Mexican gray wolves in Durango, Mexico, almost fifty years after the last wolves were removed from the state to initiate the captive breeding program that saved the subspecies from extinction. Mexico has been releasing wolves in the states of Sonora and Chihuahua since 2011, but the Durango effort marks a major milestone in restoring wolves to a more southern part of their range. The wolves are in a pre-release pen and scheduled to be released into the wild in the coming weeks. “Introducing these new wolf packs in Mexico is a sure sign that our partners to the south are dedicated to Mexican gray wolf recovery and our shared mission,” said Craig Miller, Defenders of Wildlife senior Southwest representative. “While we celebrate this moment today, we must remain vigilant on our…
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A newly revealed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service document allows Catron County ranchers to kill any one endangered Mexican gray wolf who happens to be in the area of two grazing allotments near Quemado, New Mexico. The permit doesn’t identify which wolf the ranchers can shoot, nor does it specify livestock lost to wolves preceding this kill authorization. Several wolf families are in the area, including a likely pregnant, genetically valuable female wolf of the Elk Horn pack who was named Nora by the Endangered Wolf Center in Missouri before she was released into the Arizona wild as a pup in 2020. Nora is one of the 21% of genetically valuable captive-born pups known to have survived such releases without their birthparents. “The permit allows the permittees to kill any wolf they see on private or federal land, in retribution for alleged and undisclosed livestock losses. This…
Distinct body form and high survival of coastal coyotes along the Texas-Louisiana border region allow coyotes harboring red wolf ancestry to persist decades after the red wolf’s extirpation from the region. South Salem, NY — A new study led by the Wolf Conservation Center Integrative Ecology and Coexistence Lab and published in Ecosphere reveals how red wolf ancestry has persisted for more than four decades after the red wolf was declared extirpated from the wild. The research shows that a combination of distinctive physical traits adapted to coastal wetlands and high survival has allowed coyotes to harbor, maintain, and pass on red wolf genetics. The study focused on hybrid-like coyotes referred to as “Gulf Coast canids,” living in coastal wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico that retained significant red wolf ancestry. Researchers found that these coastal coyotes form a stable, locally adapted wetland ecotype shaped by historical red wolf introgression…
For immediate release: January 21, 2026 Albuquerque, N.M. – Taylor, the Mexican gray wolf made famous for establishing a home range last year near Mount Taylor, and returning there twice after…
On November 19, Red Wolf Martha, who was born at the Wolf Conservation Center (the Center) in 2018, and her mate Oka returned home to the Center (South Salem, NY)…
30 Wildlife Organizations Urge Reforms to Curb Losses, Restore Genes SILVER CITY, N.M.— Thirty conservation organizations today urged wildlife agencies to take science-based actions to protect Mexican gray wolves after…
For Immediate Release, August 7, 2025 SILVER CITY, N.M. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released into the wild an endangered Mexican gray wolf called Asha, along with…
The Wolf Conservation Center is thrilled to share some exciting news – gray wolf Kinari is now officially living in the enclosure with her older brothers, Silas and Nikai! The…
Ahead of tomorrow’s House Appropriations Committee markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, the Wolf Conservation Center joined 79 other environmental organizations in sending…
For immediate release: July 8, 2025 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Thirty-six conservation groups representing millions of members and supporters from across the United States today sent a formal letter to the U.S. Department of the…
TUCSON, Ariz.— U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) introduced legislation this week to remove the Mexican gray wolf from the endangered species list, which would effectively end recovery efforts for this unique, highly…
Entire Family of Wandering Wolf “Asha” To Be Freed Together in New Mexico Albuquerque, NM – Mexican gray wolf puppies born in captivity at Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge received names…
Birth of six pups marks a hopeful step forward for one of the world’s most endangered canids. The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) is thrilled to share that six Red Wolf…
Media contacts: Chris Smith, WildEarth Guardians (505) 395-6177; csmith@wildearthguardians.org Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project (520)623-1878; greta@westernwatersheds.org Regan Downey, Wolf Conservation Center (914)763-2373; regan@nywolf.org Brian Nowicki, Center for Biological Diversity (505)…
For immediate release: April 21, 2025 Media contacts: Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project (520)623-1878; greta@westernwatersheds.org Regan Downey, Wolf Conservation Center (914)763-2373; regan@nywolf.org Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club – Grand Canyon (Arizona)…