Скачать или смотреть Will the Mexican Gray Wolf Survive Mexican Gray Wolf On The Verge Of Genetic Collapse Urgent Action

Mexican Gray Wolves On The Verge Of Genetic Collapse; Urgent Action Needed By U.S. Wildlife Agencies

Thirty leading conservation organizations are calling on wildlife agencies to take urgent, science-based action to protect the endangered Mexican gray wolf, whose genetic diversity has now declined for the fourth consecutive year.

In a formal letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the groups cautioned that without decisive action, the already vulnerable wolf population could face extinction. Their primary demand is the release of bonded wolf families from captivity, where genetic diversity is estimated to be 37% higher than in the wild.

“Mexican wolves won’t recover unless agencies restore as much genetic diversity as can be salvaged from what’s already been squandered,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Federal and state agencies need to stop killing wolves with important genes and start releasing captive breeding wolves in family packs to give wolves the best chance at survival and recovery.”

The groups are also calling for a halt to the removal and killing of genetically valuable wolves from the wild, and for agencies to allow natural mixing between Mexican and northern gray wolves, something that historically occurred along the edges of their ranges and could restore lost genetic traits.

“Resuming family group releases from Saving Animals From Extinction partners like us is the best way to address this genetic crisis,” said Regan Downey, director of education and advocacy at the Wolf Conservation Center. “The release of the Meridian pack in 2006, whose matriarch flew to the Southwest from our New York facility, provided much-needed diversity and proved once again that captive-born family groups can survive on the wild landscape — they just need the chance. So, let’s give it to them.”

While pups have been placed into wild dens since 2016, only 24 of 99 cross-fostered pups have survived through their first year. Experts argue this strategy is inadequate and far less effective than releasing full family packs, which have previously led to successful wild births and increased genetic diversity.

Recent actions by federal and state agencies have undermined recovery efforts. Since April, at least seven genetically important wolves have been removed from the wild, some captured, some killed, including a pregnant female and her pup. Wildlife officials are now targeting her adult son. Conservationists are demanding an immediate stop to these removals.

The last release of a captive-bonded wolf family occurred in 2006 and was deemed highly successful. Genetic diversity in the wild peaked two years later. Yet, agencies have refused to return to this method, despite support from leading institutions like the Wolf Conservation Center and Sierra Club.

The groups are also challenging policies that prevent Mexican gray wolves from traveling north of Interstate 40, and bar northern wolves from heading south. Scientists say these natural migrations are essential for long-term genetic health and resilience.

Mexican gray wolves are the most genetically inbred gray wolf population in North America. With just seven founders, today’s wolves suffer from traits associated with inbreeding, including lower reproductive success and physical deformities. Scientists stress that only increased genetic diversity can prevent the irreversible collapse of the species.

Conservationists are calling this a make-or-break moment for the lobo. Without serious changes in management, from releasing wolf families to stopping removals and allowing natural range expansion, the Mexican gray wolf could disappear from the wild once again, this time for good.