Genetic Diversity Waning

As the Mexican gray wolf population grows in the wild, and efforts to introduce genetic diversity stagnate, it will become more challenging to improve the declining genetic diversity of the endangered species. In 2025, the mean kinship of the wild population, or measure of relatedness, was 0.2404; full siblings have a mean kinship of 0.25. The resumption of captive-to-wild releases of family groups, in addition to the pup fostering technique currently employed by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team, would immediately bolster the genetics of the wild population.

Future Listing Status at Risk

As the Mexican wolf population continues to grow, it will soon reach an average of 320 wolves over a period of four years. This, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s court-challenged 2022 recovery plan, would meet requirements for downlisting of the species from endangered to threatened.

The Mexican wolf will be considered for downlisting when:

a) The United States population average over a 4-year period is greater than or equal to 320 Mexican wolves; and

b) Gene diversity available from the captive population has been incorporated in the United States population through the scheduled releases of wolves surviving to breeding age as identified in delisting criteria. (22 captive-born pups surviving to two years of age after their releases) *current pup survival count is 21.

Downlisting of the species would allow for “greater management flexibility” – meaning that it will be easier for wildlife agencies and livestock producers to kill Mexican wolves. In fact, Arizona legislators are actively trying to push through legislation that would allow landowners to kill Mexican wolves on private and/or public lands, despite countless studies that prove killing wolves does not solve conflict. Nonlethal methods of coexistence (range riding, carcass removal, shifting calving locations, etc.) are proven to be more effective at preventing wolf-livestock-human conflict.

Rather than relying solely on numbers to determine species’ recovery, we must consider the genetic health of the population and whether the species still faces serious risk. Based on the declining genetic diversity and the increasing efforts to kill Mexican wolves, they are far from recovered.

Several wolf families are in the area, including a likely pregnant, genetically valuable female wolf of the Elk Horn pack who was named Nora by the Endangered Wolf Center in Missouri before she was released into the Arizona wild as a pup in 2020. Nora is one of the 21% of genetically valuable captive-born pups known to have survived such releases without their birthparents. 

“The permit allows the permittees to kill any wolf they see on private or federal land, in retribution for alleged and undisclosed livestock losses. This is not how to solve livestock-related conflict and it’s certainly not how species are recovered,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project. “It’s basically a blank check for the revenge killing of any Mexican wolf who wanders by, and it’s outrageous.”

The kill authorization allows any of seven individuals, including a Catron County commissioner, to shoot and kill any wolf on any of six large tracts of private land in an area north of the Gila National Forest. It also allows shooting a wolf on nearby public lands if supposedly in the act of attacking livestock. 

“Nora’s rare genes gave her a shot at freedom but mean nothing to government officials whose main concern is sacrificing wildlife and public lands for livestock industry convenience,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “It’s both sad and maddening to watch another reckless lobo execution in the making and to know that Nora, not to mention the unborn pups she may be carrying, might never again follow the scent of elk in the morning breeze nor contribute to the future of her imperiled subspecies.”

“Nora was released from the Mexican Wolf Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program to help boost the genetics of her imperiled species. And now the very agency tasked with Mexican wolf recovery is allowing political pressure to influence their efforts? This is unacceptable. We trust you with the well-being of these wolves,” said Regan Downey, director of education and advocacy at the Wolf Conservation Center, a SAFE participant. 

Peer-reviewed research has consistently found that killing wolves does not reliably reduce livestock depredations and can destabilize wolf pack structure in ways that increase conflict. Removing breeding adults or disrupting social cohesion can fragment packs and lead to inexperienced wolves targeting easier prey such as livestock. 

“This is not a conflict-reduction strategy — it’s political appeasement. Broad kill permits do nothing to address the root causes of livestock losses and risk setting back recovery,” explained Michelle Lute, PhD in wolf management and executive director of Wildlife for All. “The standard should be demonstrated use of effective nonlethal tools, not simply the absence of attractants. If recovery is the goal, coexistence must come first.”

“The issuance of this kill permit simply confirms what we already know about how lobos are ‘managed’ in the wild: it’s not science, it’s politics,” said Leia Barnett, New Mexico Conservation Lead for WildEarth Guardians. “It’s disconcerting but unsurprising to see wildlife agencies employing regressive, ineffective tools that harm lobo recovery efforts all at the behest of the livestock industry. Lobos and all the Americans who love them are asking for better.” 

“Killing wolves at random is not an effective way to protect livestock, nor is it effective at curbing calls for even more killing by wolf hating livestock interests,” said Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair for the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. “It is a way to inflict cruelty on wolves and their bonded family packs and squander important and irreplaceable genetic diversity. That it would be allowed on public land by the agency tasked with lobo recovery is beyond disheartening.”

“This is not conflict prevention, it’s conflict escalation. Removing breeding adults destabilizes packs, increases risk, and sets recovery back years. Nora survived against extraordinary odds to strengthen the genetics of her imperiled species,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “To authorize her death now, without requiring meaningful prevention standards, is reckless. We need enforceable nonlethal requirements and transparent accountability, not broad permissions that gamble with the future of Mexican gray wolves.”

Mexican gray wolves were eliminated from the wild in the U.S. and Mexico by a 20th century U.S. government wolf trapping and poisoning program on behalf of the livestock industry. This unique subspecies was saved through breeding of just seven wolves after passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Federal wolf killing after the 1998 reintroduction has reduced genetic diversity and authorizing ranchers to kill wolves threatens additional damage.

Media contacts: 

Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project (520) 623-1878, greta@westernwatersheds.org

Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, (575) 313-7017, michaelr@biologicaldiversity.org

Regan Downey, Wolf Conservation Center (914)763-2373, regan@nywolf.org 

Michelle Lute, Wildlife for All, (505) 552-2501, michelle@wildlifeforall.us

Leia Barnett, WildEarth Guardians, (970) 406-2125, Lbarnett@wildearthguardians.org 

Mary Katherine Ray, Rio Grande Chapter Sierra Club, (575) 537-1095 mkrscrim@gmail.comClaire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, (928) 202-1325 claire@gcwolfrecovery.org

South Salem, NY — A new study led by the Wolf Conservation Center Integrative Ecology and Coexistence Lab and published in Ecosphere reveals how red wolf ancestry has persisted for more than four decades after the red wolf was declared extirpated from the wild. The research shows that a combination of distinctive physical traits adapted to coastal wetlands and high survival has allowed coyotes to harbor, maintain, and pass on red wolf genetics.

The study focused on hybrid-like coyotes referred to as “Gulf Coast canids,” living in coastal wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico that retained significant red wolf ancestry. Researchers found that these coastal coyotes form a stable, locally adapted wetland ecotype shaped by historical red wolf introgression and strong preference for wetland environments.

Morphological analyses revealed that Gulf Coast canids are tall, lanky coyotes with small coyote-like heads and large red wolf-like ears. These traits likely improve movement in unstable, muddy, and inundated terrains of coastal marshes and floodplains. The small heads of canids indicate that selection favored locomotion and mobility rather than killing ability.

Equally important, the study found that Gulf Coast canids experienced unusually high annual survival compared to most coyote populations elsewhere in North America. Coastal wetlands function as partial refuges from human activity such as hunting and lethal control, allowing Gulf Coast canids to survive long enough to disperse and fill breeding vacancies across extensive areas which facilities gene flow on the landscape. This elevated survival appears to be the key factor enabling red wolf ancestry to persist.

“Survival matters,” said Dr. Joseph Hinton, lead author and Senior Research Scientist for the Wolf Conservation Center. “When it’s a rising tide that lifts all boats, it facilitates safe movements across the landscape. That allows coyotes to move their admixed genetics into other areas along the coast. In this case, the coastal wetlands are functioning as a refuge not just for the coyotes but for the red wolf’s genetic legacy in the region. The morphology of the wetland ecotype reflects the demands on canids for persisting in those wetlands”.

The researchers suggest that Gulf Coast canids may function as a regional source population with dispersing individuals moving red wolf ancestry into adjacent areas inland while remaining morphologically and genetically distinct themselves.

The Wolf Conservation Center advances the recovery and conservation of wolves through science, education, and advocacy. This research provides new insights into how the red wolf’s legacy may persist within their historical range through important population processes and may be used to improve recovery of red wolf populations.

For more information about the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Canid Project, visit here.

Learn more about WCC-IECL below.

For press inquiries or additional information about the study, please contact: media@nywolf.org.

The wolf scenes in Del Toro’s Frankenstein, which aren’t depicted in Mary Shelley’s original novel, are used as a fear-mongering tactic. These scenes are wholly unnecessary and add nothing to the story. Instead, they reinforce fears and animosity toward this remarkable keystone species, ultimately setting back the crucial efforts of those of us who work tirelessly to promote wolf recovery and conservation. I know this firsthand because it’s been the focus of my life for over twenty-five years.

Such depictions are nothing new; wolves have the worst P.R. on the planet. For thousands of years, they’ve been portrayed in literature, from the Bible to Grimm’s fairytales, as being associated with the devil, werewolves, and even vampires. Movies are no better. Recently, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast depicted wolves ferociously attacking Belle. For stories like these to work, a good-versus-evil component is considered necessary, and sadly, wolves are often chosen to play the role of evil.

The truth is that wolves are fearful of humans, and rightfully so. Before the European colonists arrived, an estimated 250,000 to 2 million wolves lived in the U.S. In fact, wolves were once the most widely distributed land mammals in the world. However, after the settler’s arrival on our soil, wolves were eradicated to near extinction through bounties, hunting, trapping, and poisoning. Today, we have around 14,000 wolves, the majority of which reside in Alaska.

The two wolf species I work directly with are the Mexican gray wolf and the Red Wolf. When wolf reintroduction programs began for these two species in the late ’70s and early ’80s, there were only seven Mexican gray wolves and 14 red wolves left in the world. We, and other organizations like ours, are still desperately attempting to save these species from extinction, but thanks to misconceptions and political pressures, these two species remain critically endangered.

Wolves aren’t just majestic; they are essential. As apex predators, they occupy a top niche in the natural food chain. They create, restore, and maintain healthy ecosystems. When they are absent, ecosystems decline significantly. And, contrary to what you may have heard, wolves kill only .002% of livestock. Coyotes and domestic dogs kill more livestock than wolves do. And there are myriad tools and practices proven to deter wolf predation that ranchers can utilize successfully.

Indigenous tribes around the world lived in harmony with wolves, whom they greatly admired and respected. It is believed that our fear of wolves began when humans started to distance themselves from nature, to enslave and exploit it, with the advent of agriculture.

But there is some good news on the wolf front. Recent surveys reveal that Americans overwhelmingly (78%) support protections for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act, including 79% of people who self-identified as farmers/ranchers. But, as with so much in life, those opposed to protections often have the loudest voices, the deepest pockets, and the ability to exert unfair political pressure.

President Trump’s administration is currently proposing broad changes that would effectively eliminate grey wolves and many other animals from the Endangered Species Act, to ease conditions for industries such as logging, development, and oil and gas drilling.

The call to action has never been more urgent. Our storytellers must appreciate that the cinematic spectacles they portray on screen may ultimately have profound and dire implications for wildlife. Rather than perpetuating fear and spreading misinformation, it is more important than ever that our books and films educate audiences about the ecological importance of wildlife and promote coexistence. Is this too much to ask?

Martha Hunt Handler is an award-winning novelist, an impassioned wolf advocate and an avid environmentalist. Her debut novel, Winter of the Wolf, was chosen as a Barnes and Noble Top Indy Pick. Martha has been with the Wolf Conservation Center (nywolf.org), for over 29 years and has served as the Board President for over ten years.

The Roots and Shoots program, founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, empowers youth to make the world a better place, and with Mrs. Gray at their side, the students have done just that. As a group, they explored the world around them, with curiosity and awe, and in doing so, learned of the plight of wolves. Wolves in North America and across the world are under threat, with significantly reduced populations confined to just a fraction of their historical range. Upon learning this, the students knew they wanted to do something to help. As a group, they researched different threats to wolves, where they lived, and different organizations helping them. That’s how they learned about the Wolf Conservation Center (the Center).

At the same time this exploration in the classroom was occurring, over 260 miles away another young mind was exploring the world at the Center – ambassador wolf Kinari. Born on April 12, 2025, Kinari very quickly captivated minds and hearts across the world. Through her role as an ambassador, Kinari teaches audiences about wolves and how people can protect them. Inspired by Kinari, the students decided to help wolves by fundraising for the Center.

They hope to pursue careers working with wolves when they graduate from school but in the meantime, they decided that for as long as their Roots and Shoots club existed, the Center would be the beneficiary of their fundraisers. “We could not be more grateful to them for their support. They are inspirational and are heroes to us here at the Center, and are helping to save and support wolves, wolves such as Kinari,” said Andrew Connolly, Educator and Outreach Coordinator at the Wolf Conservation Center. “These students are changing the world.”

With creative energy, they launched their two ongoing fundraisers. First, the students are delivering “Park Ranger” talks to various classes at their school. Equipped with handmade signs, practice, and preparation, they go into different classrooms to talk about wolves, wildlife, and why they need to be protected. As of early January, 2026, they have offered 26 lessons with many more scheduled over the next few months. Their second fundraiser is picking up trash in their community. Any donations received from these efforts are then sent to the Center.  In just a short time, the students have:

• Educated dozens of classrooms about wolves and wildlife, reaching hundreds of individuals
• Raised funds through their Park Ranger talks and trash pick ups
• Created a cleaner community
• Inspired the staff and volunteers at the Center
• Helped Kinari and all wolves thrive.

To the students of Mrs. Gray’s Roots and Shoots Club, THANK YOU! You are making the world a better place.

To young people reading this: you have the power to change the world. Your words and actions make an impact. Never be afraid to stand up for what is right. We hope you are inspired by the work of these students, and that you continue to follow your dreams and to make the world a better place. You are amazing.

Albuquerque, N.M. – Taylor, the Mexican gray wolf made famous for establishing a home range last year near Mount Taylor, and returning there twice after having been removed despite a federal rule banning wolves north of Interstate 40, was found dead over the weekend on the  interstate near Grants, New Mexico. 

“This is such an unfortunate outcome for Taylor, who showed us so much about how wolves choose their own habitats, regardless of the lines that humans draw on maps,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project. “But it’s also a positive development that the agencies were letting him stay outside of the artificial boundary for so long and giving him the opportunity to be wild on Mt. Taylor. His life firmly demonstrated the suitability of wolf habitat in these mountains, and we can only hope that he’s not the last wolf choosing his own fate in northern New Mexico.” 

Taylor was originally located on Mt. Taylor in the spring of 2025 and was moved by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish into the Gila National Forest. He walked back to Mt. Taylor in July, where he lived peacefully until November, when he was removed by the department again after journeying north. 

Once again, upon release, he immediately went north to Mt. Taylor where he had been for the past two months. Taylor had successfully crossed I-40 at least three times in the past, but appears to have been hit along the highway over the holiday weekend. He was thought to be almost three years old. He is survived by his mother in the Elk Horn pack in Arizona, a younger brother, and likely other pack members without radio collars.

“Taylor’s death is a heartbreaking reminder that highways like I-40 are not just lines on a map, they are lethal barriers for wildlife,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “Abolishing I-40 as a management boundary is long overdue. If we are serious about recovery, we must allow wolves to move freely across suitable habitats and invest in wildlife crossings and landscape-scale connectivity so highways no longer function as death traps.” 

Taylor is the 11th Mexican gray wolf known to have spent time north of I-40, and the fifth who specifically spent time near Mt. Taylor. Over 3,500 people took action and asked the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to let  Taylor be allowed to roam free. His Facebook page had more than 700 fans following his journey. 

“That Taylor’s death evokes human sadness is testament to how wolves inspire us,” said Mary Katherine Ray, Wildlife Chair for the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. “Taylor’s desire to find his own way beyond the officially allowed boundary demonstrated again that a larger part of the natural world than we allow is not broken but still retains what wolves need to make a home.”

“Taylor’s death, while tragic, is a powerful reminder that wild wolves face countless barriers to survival but human-imposed barriers shouldn’t be part of the equation,” said Regan Downey, Director of Education and Advocacy for the Wolf Conservation Center. “Taylor’s steadfast desire to live north of I-40 inspired the nation to support his intrepid movements and dream of a world where wolves are free to roam. May he inspire policy change, as well.”

“Taylor’s death is not a failure of dispersal — it’s a failure of planning,” said Michelle Lute, PhD in wolf conservation and executive director of Wildlife for All. “Taylor was doing exactly what recovering wolves are supposed to do: exploring habitat, testing landscapes and establishing new home ranges for others to follow. What lags behind is our infrastructure and policy. Highways like I-40 will continue to function as lethal, politically-imposed barriers until we choose proactive recovery over preventable loss.”

“Taylor’s devastating death highlights the importance of improving wildlife corridors and connectivity across the Land of Enchantment,” said Sally Paez, staff attorney for New Mexico Wild. “Mexican gray wolves instinctually disburse to find mates and prey. They follow the seasonal movement of big game herds, including elk and deer, which travel long distances. The State of New Mexico must continue to prioritize policies that provide the dual benefits of improving wildlife connectivity and enhancing public safety through the prevention of wildlife-vehicle collisions.”  

“Once again, a wild, north-bound wolf captured the hearts of New Mexicans and wildlife lovers across the nation and the world in his pursuit of freedom,” said Leia Barnett, New Mexico conservation lead for WildEarth Guardians. “Taylor’s tragic death reminds us that our lobos need more from state and federal wildlife agencies if they are to truly recover and thrive as a species. Allowing more wolves to roam north of Interstate 40, installing adequate wildlife crossings, protecting wildlife corridors, and continuing to rely on the best available science to guide recovery efforts need to be paramount in decisions regarding our lobos.”

“I’m mourning this intrepid wolf whose life was cut short while also taking a moment to admire his determination and sheer grit,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “I can’t help but wonder whether this tragedy could have been avoided if Taylor and potential female mates had been allowed to roam and find each other north of I-40, instead of him crossing south to look for love.” 

Media contacts: 

Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project (520) 623-1878, greta@westernwatersheds.org

Claire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project (928) 202-1325, claire@gcwolfrecovery.org 

Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, (575) 313-7017, michaelr@biologicaldiversity.org 

Regan Downey, Wolf Conservation Center (914) 763-2373, regan@nywolf.org 

Michelle Lute, Wildlife for All, (505) 552-2501, michelle@wildlifeforall.us

Leia Barnett, WildEarth Guardians, (970) 406-2125, Lbarnett@wildearthguardians.org 

Sally Paez, New Mexico Wild, (505) 350-0664, sally@nmwild.org 

If your Representative is a member of the Natural Resources Committee (view list), urge them to OPPOSE this damaging bill.

If your Representative is not a member of the Natural Resources Committee, consider sending them a note to let them know how much you value Mexican wolves.

Protections Are Key to Wild Future

Mexican gray wolves were hunted to the brink of extinction and were declared extinct in the wild in the U.S. by the 1980s. Thanks to the ESA, the species has made significant advances in the U.S. but they still face challenges from limited genetic diversity, illegal killing, and lack of connected populations.

The impacts of a premature delisting, or removal from the endangered species list, would be devastating. There would be no federal monitoring, no captive to wild releases of genetically valuable Mexican wolves, no federal ban on killing wolves, and no compensation for livestock losses. Federal protections don’t just support Mexican wolves; they support the communities that share the landscape with this native species.

“These sweeping changes would fundamentally weaken our nation’s most important wildlife conservation law at a time when one million species face extinction globally,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service to withdraw these proposed rulemakings and instead work to implement the ESA as Congress intended: any regulatory changes should further the objectives of the ESA to conserve species and prevent extinction.”

The Trump administration’s proposed rules would end blanket protections for threatened species, limit the interagency consultation process, allow economic considerations to factor into listing decisions, and make it more challenging to list a species as endangered or threatened. Over one million comments were submitted before the close of the public comment period on December 22, 2025.

The lawmakers rightly recognize the popularity and effectiveness of the ESA; it has saved more than 99% of listed species from extinction since its inception in 1973. Recent polling suggests that a majority of Americans support the ESA and understand the need to protect the diverse wildlife that reside across the country.

Read the full letter here.

The Trump Administration recently unveiled proposed Endangered Species Act (the Act) rules that severely undermine the Act and make it easier for corporations such as oil, gas, and mining companies to push through environmentally destructive projects. Ultimately, these regulatory changes will have disastrous effects, pushing imperiled wildlife towards extinction. 

The four proposed rules, posted in the Federal Register on November 21, target critical habitat, blanket protections for threatened species, and the consultation process.  

The first Trump administration attempted to severely weaken the Act but their unscientific alterations were reversed by the Biden administration, which rightly acknowledged that these regulatory changes, if left untouched, would lead to species extinction. 

Please use the suggested talking points below to submit comments opposing these rules by December 22, 2025.

Significance of Proposals and How to Comment

1. Proposed Rule: Section 4(d): Blanket Rule 

Currently, under U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regulations, threatened species receive a “blanket 4(d) rule” so they automatically receive the same protections as an endangered species. These blanket protections prevent “take” of listed species (“… harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect or attempt to engage in any such conduct”). 

 This proposed regulation would end blanket protections and only grant protections to threatened species when species-specific rules are created. 

Suggested talking points: 

• Threatened species rely on the blanket 4(d) rule for immediate protections.

• Species-specific rules, while necessary for long-term recovery of the species, require significant time and energy to be created so the blanket rule provides needed protections until species-specific rules are drafted.

• Broad baseline protections ensure that species don’t fall prey to regulatory gaps or the influence of special-interest groups. 

TO COMMENT: 

1. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0029, which is the docket number for this rulemaking action. Then, click on the Search button.  

2. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document.  

3. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.” Comments must be submitted to https://www.regulations.gov before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 22, 2025. 

2. Proposed Rule: Section 7: Interagency consultation 

Section 7 covers consultation among federal agencies to ensure agency actions don’t undermine endangered or threatened species or hurt critical habitat. It requires agencies to consult with USFWS and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) before carrying out any action that could (1) jeopardize species’ survival and recovery and (2) destroy or degrade critical habitat.   

The new regulations change rules that implement Section 7 of the Act, and thus greatly limit the consultation process and impact both imperiled species and the critical habitat they rely on.  

This proposal would make it more challenging for USFWS and NMFS to prove that actions requested by other federal agencies would negatively impact listed species and critical habitat. This would exclude many indirect, cumulative, or climate-driven effects from being considered. 

Suggested talking points: 

• Section 7 is crucial to ensuring that other agencies’ projects (oil drilling, mining, dams, timber sales) don’t further endanger wildlife.  

• The Section 7 consultation process has been instrumental to the Act’s remarkable success in preventing the extinction of imperiled animals and plants; 99% of species listed under the Act survive today. 

TO COMMENT: 

1. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0044, which is the docket number for this rulemaking action. Then, click on the Search button.  

2. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document.  

3. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.” Comments must be submitted to https://www.regulations.gov before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 22, 2025. 

3. Proposed Rule: Section 4(b)(2): Critical habitat exclusion rule (only applies to FWS)  

Inherent in the success of the Act, is the condition that economic costs not be a factor in deciding whether to protect an animal.  

Under the new rules, efforts to save a species can occur if the price is right.  

The changes put an economic cost on saving a species. The new regulations call for greater emphasis on economic impact analysis, despite the law forbidding anything except science from influencing a listing decision. Suggested talking points: 

• Science and species conservation, not politics or money interests, should steer the designation of critical habitat.  

• Habitat loss is the main cause of extinction. This rule would weaken key habitat protection tools and drive more species towards extinction. 

TO COMMENT: 

1. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0048, which is the docket number for this rulemaking action. Then, click on the Search button.  

2. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document.  

3. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.” Comments must be submitted to https://www.regulations.gov before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 22, 2025. 

4. Proposed Rule: 50 CFR Part 424: Listing and Critical habitat rules 

Science has historically led the rules in defining listing requirements and conditions for protecting critical habitats. 

This rule would reinstate the 2019 Trump listing and critical habitat regulations and would narrow the interpretation of listing requirements, making it harder to list species as endangered or threatened and easier to delist a species. These changes would make it more challenging to grant Endangered Species Act protections for species that are impacted by climate change, drought, disease, and other effects. The US Fish and Wildlife Service would also be limited in their ability to designate currently unoccupied wolf habitat as critical, even if those areas are essential for future wolf expansion and recovery.  

Suggested talking points: 

• True endangered species conservation requires forward-thinking and future projections. Removing the ability to list species by narrowing the scope of “foreseeable future” hinders our ability to proactively save species before they hover on the brink of extinction.  

• True recovery looks at all areas a species did roam, and could roam in the future – not just where they’re currently found. Gray wolves only occupy 10-12% of their historical range but will rely on unoccupied areas if the species is going to truly recover. 

• FWS and NMFS should reject this proposed rule and rely on the improvements made in 2024.  

TO COMMENT: 

1. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-ES-2025-0039, which is the docket number for this rulemaking action. Then, click on the Search button.  

2. On the resulting page, in the panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document.  

3. You may submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.” Comments must be submitted to https://www.regulations.gov before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on December 22, 2025. 

On November 19, Red Wolf Martha, who was born at the Wolf Conservation Center (the Center) in 2018, and her mate Oka returned home to the Center (South Salem, NY) from the Museum of Life and Science (Durham, NC). Their homecoming also includes the newest members of their family: their pups Proton, Scuppernong, and Ember! This journey was made possible thanks to our friends at Pilots to the Rescue, who donated their time to ensure their ride was safe and stress-free.

Two of the Center’s current residents, Red Wolves Caroline and Jacques, are relocating to the Museum of Life and Science. Their transfer is bittersweet, as it signals the end of their chapter with the Center but is the start of a new adventure in North Carolina.

With fewer than 20 Red Wolves known to remain in the wild, these carefully orchestrated transfers ensure that every wolf contributes to the long-term recovery of their critically endangered species. 

Relocation Efforts Support Recovery Goals

Every summer, experts convene to discuss the status of the captive and wild Red Wolf populations and identify any changes that need to be made for the year ahead. This annual meeting includes members of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Red Wolf Recovery Program, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ American Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) Program, state wildlife agencies, and specialists such as ecologists, biologists, veterinarians, and staff from facilities that care for Red Wolves.

During these sessions, the group reviews breeding and transfer plans, evaluates genetic priorities, and considers the overall health and long-term needs of the population under human care. Based on these assessments, they determine whether relocating individual wolves or pairs to new homes would best support the species’ continued recovery.

Pack Mentality to Save a Species 

Relocation efforts require significant cooperation between partner organizations. Wolves are moved using secure transport enclosures and careful handling that prioritizes their comfort and safety. For longer-distance journeys, flights are generously provided by Pilots to the Rescue, a volunteer-based nonprofit aviation organization that donates flights to help animals in need- from shelter pets to endangered wildlife. Their work bridges compassion and conservation, ensuring wolves like Martha, Oka, and their pups arrive safely and with minimal stress.

“Welcoming Martha, Oka and their pups home is an exciting moment for our team,” said Rebecca Bose, Curator at the Wolf Conservation Center. “Every transfer reflects an enormous collaborative effort, and we’re proud to play a role in safeguarding the future of the Red Wolf.” 

Stay tuned for updates and watch our webcams to see how Martha, Oka and their family are settling in at the WCC. You can also follow the Museum of Life and Science to stay connected to Caroline and Jacques journey as they begin their next chapter.

To learn more about Red Wolf conservation and how you can help, visit nywolf.org.