Mexican wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) are a small and rare subspecies of the gray wolf (Canis lupus), They were common from Mexico north into Arizona and New Mexico. But they were largely eliminated in the 20th Century.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 stepped in to save them from extinction. Reintroduction to Arizona and New Mexico followed. Now a rare Mexican wolf female is in the news as she wanders.
According to Phys.org she is attracting a lot of attention from biologists. Her wanderings may be in search of a mate. If she does find a mate and settle down she will begin to increase the population of her kind in the United States. There are thought to be about 250 Mexican wolves in the United States.
Mexican wolves are among the smallest of the wolf subspecies, not too much larger than an average coyote. The presence of the wolves in Arizona and New Mexico does not sit well with stockmen who regard them as threats to their livelighood.
According to Britannica:
“The wolf is built for travel. Its long legs, large feet, and deep but narrow chest suit it well for life on the move. Keen senses, large canine teeth, powerful jaws, and the ability to pursue prey at 60 km (37 miles) per hour equip the wolf well for a predatory way of life. A typical northern male may be about 2 metres (6.6 feet) long, including the bushy half-metre-long tail. Standing 76 cm (30 inches) tall at the shoulder, it weighs about 45 kg (100 pounds), but weight ranges from 14 to 65 kg (31 to 143 pounds), depending on the geographic area. Females average about 20 percent smaller than males. The largest wolves are found in west-central Canada, Alaska, and across northern Asia. The smallest tend to be near the southern end of their distribution”
The debate over whether wolves are a true threat to animal husbandry interests is a serious debate. The experience of France shows that wolves do kill and eat a substantial number of livestock. Some examples in the United States are truly awful. Experts in France and the United States both say the mere presence of wolves can negatively impact livestock. Fear and stress often manifest in poor health. But France and other nations appear determined to coexist. Wolves have substantial support from many scientific and conservation organizations. Opponents argue that support for wolves and wolf re-introduction increases with distance from the animals and their behavior. At least one observer calls for a “middle-path” recognizing importance of wolves in an eco-system and the rights of animal husbandry workers.
The rare Mexican wolf also faces dangers from traffic. OR93 was a young wolf who left Oregon and wandered 1,000 miles into California. He died in a traffic accident.