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Trump orders review of Endangered Species Act protections for grey and Mexican wolves
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing the Department of the Interior to review the federal protections for grey wolves and Mexican wolves under the Endangered Species Act. The order instructs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to determine within 90 days if these populations have recovered sufficiently to warrant the removal or reduction of their protected status.
The administration stated the move aims to support ranchers who report financial losses due to wolf depredation of livestock. The order also calls for a review of rules regarding lethal removal of wolves that pose threats to human safety or domestic animals. While the order does not grant immediate permission for ranchers to kill wolves, it seeks to facilitate more rapid responses to such threats.
Conservation organizations have criticized the decision, warning it could jeopardize decades of recovery efforts. Experts note that the Mexican wolf population, which grew from just four individuals in 1998 to approximately 317-319 in 2025, still faces significant genetic diversity challenges. Environmental advocates argue that wolf attacks on livestock are relatively rare and that existing state and federal compensation programs already exist to mitigate losses for ranchers.
Entities
Department of the Interior · Donald Trump · Doug Burgum · Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project · Greta Anderson · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · United States · Western Watersheds Project
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [DISPUTED] The wild population of Mexican gray wolves was 319 in 2025. n1info.rs · julioastillero.com · time.news · www.bbc.com
- [● 23 SOURCES] Doug Burgum has 90 days to determine if the wolves meet criteria for removal from the Endangered Species Act. laregiontula.com.mx · www.acierta.mx · eltiempomx.com · jornadabc.com.mx · lajornadasanluis.com.mx · +17 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Greta Anderson stated the move is a distraction to placate ranchers and that wolf impact on livestock is minor compared to other issues. laregiontula.com.mx · eltiempomx.com · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx · lopezdoriga.com · +4 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] Donald Trump signed an executive order to review the endangered species protections for grey wolves and Mexican wolves. n1info.rs · www.diarioevolucion.com.mx · laregiontula.com.mx · www.acierta.mx · eltiempomx.com · +18 more
- [DISPUTED] There are approximately 317 Mexican gray wolves remaining in the wild. www.diarioevolucion.com.mx · www.acierta.mx · eltiempomx.com · www.lavozdemichoacan.com.mx · lopezdoriga.com · +8 more