The Mexican wolf, Canis lupus baileyi, was systematically driven to extinction by ranchers and then by Government predator control programs which lasted nearly 100 years and cost taxpayers millions of dollars. The most endangered of any wolf, any mammal in North America, for that matter, the Mexican wolf became extinct in the wild just about a decade ago. Only a few were ever captured for breeding programs so genetic diversity may become a serious problem.

     In March of 1998 11 captive bred Mexican wolves were released into an area which borders New Mexico & Arizona. Unfortunately as of 11/13/98, only three were left, all males. Some wandered out of the recovery area and had to be recaptured, four were shot by ignorant humans who still fear the wolf, including the only female to have produced pups this spring -- the first Mexican wolf pup born in the U.S. in decades.