Arizona Ranchers Urge County Officials to Act as Mexican Wolves Threaten Livestock

By Matthew Holloway |

Arizona ranchers are raising concerns over the impact of the reintroduction of Mexican wolves in Southern Arizona. As the wolf population grows, ranchers are experiencing significant losses, prompting appeals to Cochise County Supervisors for changes in conservation policies. Mike Wear, who oversees Wear Ranch near Willcox, stated, “Every cow that I lose hurts my bottom line. Immensely.” Recently, two of his cows were killed by wolves.

The increase in wolves has created substantial challenges for ranchers, complicating their daily operations. “It’s very hard to find them. It’s created labor intensity on our ranches—tenfold,” Wear explained. Ranchers often discover wolf activity only after livestock have been killed, complicating their ability to protect their herds.

Cochise County Supervisors recently convened to discuss the potential reclassification of the Mexican wolf’s status. According to reports, specific criteria must be met before federal delisting can be considered. A recent meeting highlighted that a minimum of two sustainable populations must exist, including at least 320 wolves maintained over an eight-year period.

Currently, the U.S. population of Mexican wolves stands at 286, just 34 short of the cutoff. The population was recorded at a minimum of 162 wolves in New Mexico and 124 in Arizona as of March. These figures indicate a growing wolf population, with a reported 11% increase from the previous year.

Stewart Liley, Chief of Wildlife for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, emphasized that genetic management is contributing positively to the population’s growth. “126 carefully selected pups have been placed in wild dens since 2016, and many have successfully produced their own litters,” he noted.

Clay Crowder, Assistant Director for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, remarked that the results from this year’s survey reflect the success of the recovery plan. He stated that the program has achieved its ninth consecutive year of population growth, highlighting the wolves’ progress toward recovery.

While ranchers face challenges, some argue that the return of wolves benefits the ecosystem. Greta Anderson, deputy director of the Western Watersheds Project, emphasized that wolves are returning to their native habitat. She remarked, “These wolves are not new. They belonged here before we removed them.” Anderson also pointed out that ranchers have options available under current conservation regulations to manage predation.

As discussions continue, the divergent perspectives on wolf reintroduction illustrate the complexities of wildlife management and agricultural interests in Arizona.

Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him for more stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.