In rural New Mexico, Catron County commissioners have declared a state of emergency due to increasing conflicts with endangered Mexican gray wolves. These wolves are reportedly taking pets from yards and attacking livestock without fear of humans. This scenario is causing tension over efforts to reintroduce wolves across the western United States. During a meeting in Catron County that lasted nearly three hours, ranchers and rural residents expressed their frustrations, joined by participants from Arizona as well as environmental experts and state officials who attended online.
A rancher, Tom Paterson, voiced his concern, highlighting the immediate threat posed by the wolves, which have already attacked livestock dangerously close to his home. In light of the situation, county officials advised residents to be vigilant about their surroundings and keep children and pets under constant supervision.
These challenges are not confined to New Mexico. Officials in Oregon and Northern California are facing similar difficulties with gray wolves that are more commonly found and bigger than the Mexican gray wolves. Recent weeks saw emergency declarations by two counties in California, with an additional request for assistance from state wildlife authorities in another.
The reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves, a program dating back to the late 1990s, continues to be a point of contention between ranchers in New Mexico and Arizona and wildlife conservationists. Despite programs aimed at offsetting losses by reimbursing ranchers, the farming community believes these wolves threaten their livelihoods, compounded by ongoing drought and economic pressures. Environmental advocates, however, maintain that these wolves have a rightful place in the Southwest and criticize federal agencies for not doing enough to promote the genetic diversity of the population.
Although recorded human attacks by Mexican wolves are non-existent, Catron County Sheriff Keith Hughes cautioned about the risks of wolves staying in populated regions. He mentioned a recent sighting of a wolf in the Reserve community.
Currently, it is estimated that there are over 280 Mexican wolves in Arizona and New Mexico, though federal authorities concede that an accurate assessment of their real numbers is uncertain. Reports suggest livestock predations are decreasing, with roughly 100 incidents confirmed this year. However, ranchers argue that the actual numbers could be significantly higher than those reported.
To address these conflicts, wildlife managers last year successfully executed over 290 operations to drive wolves away from rural areas, reiterating their dedication to mitigating conflicts and easing economic burdens on ranchers.
Catron County’s resolution indicates that the cultural and traditional practices of its residents have been impacted by the presence of the wolves. The county is seeking financial assistance from the state and is requesting support from the New Mexico National Guard if required. The office of Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has yet to respond regarding her stance on the emergency declaration.
Similar issues are present in Oregon’s Lake County, where ranchers have increased security and invested in night vision gear due to gray wolf activity. This county also declared an emergency in February, resulting in the sanctioned removal of a persistent wolf. California’s Sierra County recently followed suit with an emergency declaration, joining other counties like Modoc and Lassen, which have also reported increased wolf activity.
In Colorado, a campaign is collecting petition signatures to propose a referendum on wolf reintroduction, aiming for the 2026 ballot. Recently, federal wildlife authorities removed a wolf in Wyoming that had attacked sheep, while in Montana, legislation is being considered to extend the wolf hunting season. In Idaho, limited trapping and snaring are practiced to control their population.
The management of both gray and Mexican wolves remains contentious, sparking legal disputes and legislative debates for years. In the Southwest, there is an ongoing dispute in a federal appeals court over the management rules and recovery area boundaries for these wolves.