FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2026
Contact:
- Michelle Lute, (505) 552-2501, media@wildlifeforall.us
- Cyndi Tuell, (520) 272-2454, cyndi@westernwatersheds.org
- Claire Musser, (928) 202-1325, claire@gcwolfrecovery.org
- Sally Paez, (505) 350-0664, sally@nmwild.org
- Chris Smith, (505) 395-6177, csmith@wildearthguardians.org
- Regan Downey, (914) 763-2373, regan@nywolf.org
- Mary Katherine Ray, (575) 537-1095, mkrscrim@gmail.com
As Agencies Pursue Mexican Wolf Downlisting, Coalition Urges New Mexico to Close Protection Gaps
Fifteen organizations urge New Mexico leaders to close trapping loopholes following trapping deaths of endangered Mexican gray wolves.
Santa Fe, N.M. — As federal and state wildlife agencies prepare to pursue downlisting of Mexican gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act, a coalition representing fifteen wildlife conservation, environmental, and animal protection organizations is urging New Mexico leaders to strengthen—not weaken—protections for the endangered subspecies.
Following the recent spate of trapping incidents, including the deaths of two federally endangered Mexican gray wolves from the Sawtooth Pack and at least 23 documented trapping incidents since 2022, the coalition called on state leaders to take immediate action..
Last Friday, the coalition delivered a letter to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, New Mexico Department of Wildlife director Michael Sloane, Attorney General Raúl Torrez, Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard, Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, and Speaker of the House Javier Martínez, urging coordinated action to prevent future trapping incidents and strengthen protections for Mexican gray wolves.
The letter comes amid growing concern over the increasing number of wolves caught in traps. Since 2022, at least 23 Mexican gray wolves have been documented in trapping incidents across New Mexico. While some wolves survived, others suffered serious injuries or died, underscoring the continued risks of trapping posed to one of North America’s most endangered mammals.
Yesterday, the Arizona Game and Fish Department announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department are preparing a petition to downlist the Mexican gray wolf from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act, citing recent population growth and progress toward recovery plan criteria.
“New Mexico made important progress with the passage of Roxy’s Law and preliminary population growth, but recent events demonstrate that significant and alarming gaps remain,” said Michelle Lute, Ph.D. in wolf conservation and executive director of Wildlife for All. “True recovery means ensuring wolves can survive and thrive in perpetuity. The plague of both intentional and incidental trapping deaths makes clear that serious gaps remain in the protections for this still very rare species. Downlisting should follow durable recovery, not substitute for it.”
“The trapping deaths of two endangered wolves in New Mexico last year were preventable and deeply disturbing,” said Cyndi Tuell, the Arizona and New Mexico director at Western Watersheds Project. “We’re concerned that we’ll see more of these kinds of tragic deaths under a downlisting scenario that turns more management over to the states. New Mexico should be closing loopholes, not trying to open more of them.”
“The loss of even a single Mexican gray wolf is a setback for the recovery of one of North America’s most endangered mammals. These deaths underscore the urgent need to ensure existing protections are fully enforced, suspected violations are thoroughly investigated, and the remaining gaps that continue to place wolves at risk are addressed, not to weaken protections or pursue premature delisting,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “Recovering Mexican wolves requires more than reintroducing animals to the landscape; it requires creating conditions where they can survive and thrive.”
“The tragic deaths of the Sawtooth wolves underscore the need for New Mexico’s elected officials to close loopholes in New Mexico law, dedicate resources for outreach and education, and commit to enforcing existing laws intended to protect endangered Mexican wolves and other wildlife,” said Sally Paez, staff attorney at New Mexico Wild. “The agencies’ premature downlisting proposal ignores the ongoing threats of human-caused mortality and genetic vulnerability.”
“If New Mexico is to continue to protect and recover native wildlife, its leaders need to continue to update and improve laws that anchor us to a moment in history when wildlife was seen as a nuisance and a pest, rather than a neighbor and a relative,” said Chris Smith, wildlife and wild places director for WildEarth Guardians. “Wolves and other species don’t see lines on maps and they don’t read statute and regulation – they need stronger protections across the board. Weakening protections while deadly loopholes remain on the books is nonsensical.”
“New Mexico officials must learn from these tragic killings and create a safer state for Mexican gray wolves. It’s terrifying to know that wolves, including wolves released from facilities like the Wolf Conservation Center, can be trapped without significant repercussions. This needs to change, especially with agencies prematurely attempting to decrease protections,” said Regan Downey, director of education and advocacy at the Wolf Conservation Center.
“The brutality exhibited by the humans in the recent wolf trapping deaths was heinous,” said Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. “If these acts are not legally addressed, perpetrators will become emboldened and more wolves will not only be killed, but will suffer in the same way. Removing protections by downlisting in addition will ensure more of the same. ”
Among other recommendations, the coalition is calling on state leaders to:
- Publicly condemn the recent deaths of the Sawtooth Pack wolves.
- Expand education and outreach regarding the legal protections afforded to Mexican gray wolves and steps to take if a wolf is unintentionally trapped.
- Ensure that suspected violations of state and federal law are thoroughly investigated.
- Work with the Legislature to close statutory loopholes that continue to place endangered wolves at unnecessary risk.
- Continue coordinating across federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to strengthen wolf recovery and reduce future trapping incidents.
The coalition noted that while investigations into the deaths of the Sawtooth Pack wolves remain ongoing, the recent incidents highlight the need for both immediate action and longer-term reforms to reduce the risk of future trapping injuries and deaths.
Signatories include:
- Wildlife for All
- WildEarth Guardians
- Western Watersheds Project
- The Rewilding Institute
- Wolf Conservation Center
- Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
- Rio Grande Chapter, Sierra Club
- Grand Canyon Chapter, Sierra Club
- Upper Gila Watershed Alliance
- Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center
- Animal Protection New Mexico
- New Mexico Wild
- Western Wildlife Conservancy
- White Mountain Conservation League
- Wild Arizona
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About Wildlife for All
Wildlife for All is a national organization dedicated to reforming wildlife management to be more democratic, just, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. Through research, advocacy, and education, we aim to protect wildlife and ensure that policies reflect the values of all Americans.
About Western Watersheds Project
Western Watersheds Project is a nonprofit conservation organization with more than 50,000 members and supporters who care about protecting western public lands for watersheds and wildlife.
About Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing back wolves to help restore ecological health in the Grand Canyon region, while also recognizing wolves as sentient beings with intrinsic value and worth.
About WildEarth Guardians
WildEarth Guardians protects and restores the wildlife, wild places, wild rivers, and health of the American West.
About New Mexico Wild
New Mexico Wild is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and continued enjoyment of New Mexico’s wildlands and wilderness areas.
About Sierra Club
The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the Earth, practice and promote the responsible use of its ecosystems, and educate humanity to protect the natural environment.
About Wolf Conservation Center
The Wolf Conservation Center advances the survival of wolves by inspiring a global community through education, advocacy, research, and recovery, and is an active participant in the SAFE Mexican Wolf Program.
