17 Mexican wolf pups placed into wild dens in Arizona and New Mexico in 2025

PHOENIX – Seventeen captive-born Mexican wolf pups have been placed into wild dens in Arizona and New Mexico this year, wildlife officials announced Monday.

That completes the Mexican wolf fostering efforts for 2025, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

Six pups were placed into one Arizona den and 11 went to three New Mexico dens as part of the Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program.

The 2025 total was down from the record 27 pups placed with wild packs in the two states in 2024.

The foster Mexican wolf pups are born in SAFE facilities and mixed into wild packs with pups of similar ages to be raised. The timing of the process presents challenges, because the captive and wild pups have to be born around the same time for it to work.

What does Mexican wolf pup foster program achieve?

The fostering program is a key strategy for increasing the wild population of the endangered species. All Mexican wolves in the wild originated from seven founders, so fostering increases genetic diversity.

“Meeting the genetic recovery goals as outlined in the 2022 Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan is essential,” Clay Crowder, AZGFD assistant director, said in a press release. “The fostering program is achieving these goals faster than was predicted, with 21 of the 22 required fosters having reached breeding age.”

At least 13 fosters have produced 31 litters, Crowder added.

“With these successes, we are approaching the criteria to begin evaluating potential downlisting of Mexican wolves,” he said.

Downlisting is the term used for when a species is reclassified from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Related

As Mexican wolf populations rise in Arizona, genetic diversity continues to be great challengeRecord 27 Mexican wolf pups fostered into Arizona and New MexicoMotorcyclist killed after running red light in west Phoenix crash, police saySpotty monsoon storms could move into Phoenix area tonightKatie Hobbs praises John Giles running mate pick; Andy Biggs team calls him Democrat allyBetter pay would be a start for fixing Arizona’s teacher shortage, but it’s not the only solution