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Despite decades of protection under the Endangered Species Act, Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest are still far from recovered. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped lawmakers in Arizona from continuing to try to put them in the crosshairs.

Right now, there are three bills in Arizona that would further jeopardize their survival, including HB 2159, HB 2160, and HB 2787. Urge lawmakers to oppose these bills!

Mexican gray wolves once roamed vast portions of the Southwest, but were virtually annihilated by the 1900s. They were listed as an endangered species in 1976, and bi-national recovery efforts between the U.S. and Mexico were launched. Unfortunately, there hasn't been much progress since the first 11 were released in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in Arizona in 1998.

According to the latest count by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team, their population had increased to a minimum of 319 by the end of 2025 — an increase of just 33 individuals since 2024. While their numbers are on an upward trend, they're still far from recovered and face numerous threats to their survival, including human-caused mortality, largely via poaching and vehicle collisions, and a lack of genetic diversity — all of them are descended from just seven wolves who were captured to start a captive breeding program.

Unfortunately, the growing numbers have some absolutely itching to strip them of much-needed protection, largely at the behest of ranchers, even though they are compensated for losses.

In Arizona, Rep. Lupe Diaz has introduced not one, but three bills that would put Mexican wolves at risk.

HB 2787 would stop state agencies from cooperating with the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program under the Endangered Species Act. The House passed this bill, and now it's in the Senate.

HB 2159 would require the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to issue permits to landowners for killing Mexican wolves on private land or lands leased for grazing. It would also allow the agency to pay bounties for the “humane and non-lethal trapping” of wolves and “provide sport hunting opportunities in accordance with AZGFD rules.” The House also passed this bill, and now it's in the Senate.

HB 2160 would (very prematurely) create a Mexican Wolf Management Plan Development Committee to develop a management plan for Mexican wolves when they are delisted. This bill is still in the House.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Oppose Bills that Threaten Mexican Wolves

As someone concerned with conservation and the protection of endangered species, I’m writing to urge you to oppose three bills threatening the survival of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona.
 
Even with decades of protection under the Endangered Species Act, there hasn’t been much progress since the first 11 were released in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in Arizona in 1998.
 
According to the latest count by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team, their population has increased to a minimum of 319 by the end of 2025 — an increase of just 33 individuals since 2024. While their numbers are on an upward trend, they still only occupy a fraction of their historic range and face numerous threats to their survival, including human-caused mortality, largely via poaching and vehicle collisions, and a lack of genetic diversity — all of them are descended from just seven wolves who were captured to start a captive breeding program.
 
They are nowhere near recovered, and supporting legislation that would put what should be a major conservation success story would be a betrayal of not only imperiled Mexican wolves themselves, but of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
 
Unfortunately, it’s obvious that special interests have too much sway on this issue with the introduction of the following bills.
 
HB 2787 would stop state agencies from cooperating with the Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Program under the ESA.
 
HB 2159 would require the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to issue permits to landowners for killing Mexican wolves on private land or lands leased for grazing. It would also allow the agency to pay bounties for the “humane and non-lethal trapping” of wolves and “provide sport hunting opportunities in accordance with AZGFD rules.”
 
HB 2160 would create a Mexican Wolf Management Plan Development Committee to develop a management plan for Mexican wolves when they are delisted.
 
Decisions about Mexican wolves should be driven by the best available science, not politics or special interests. 

Efforts should instead be focused on reducing conflicts and ensuring the survival of Mexican wolves. More must be released from captive breeding programs to address the lack of genetic diversity; multiple populations must be able to establish which are able to disperse beyond artificial boundaries, and there must be further investigations and consequences for those who kill Mexican wolves in violation of the ESA.
 
I sincerely hope you will oppose these bills and instead take measures to ensure these rare wolves survive far into the future. Thank you for your consideration of this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.