Mexican gray wolf conservation faces regulatory uncertainty

Mexico currently maintains 107 Mexican gray wolves under professional care across 24 institutions, according to the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat). The captive population consists of 65 males and 42 females. Recent conservation efforts under the Mexico-United States Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program have seen successful wild births, including four pups between 2024 and 2026.

In 2026, the binational program achieved a milestone by reintroducing the species into the forests of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Durango, marking its return to the region after more than 50 years. There are currently approximately 364 wolves living in the wild.

However, the species faces potential regulatory challenges. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to determine if the Mexican gray wolf meets the criteria for removal from the Endangered Species Act. The sanctuary Extinction Zero has warned that this move could represent a 50-year setback for conservation efforts. The executive order tasks the U.S. Secretary of the Interior with making a decision within 90 days, partly to address concerns from ranchers regarding wolf attacks on livestock.