National News

Wild Wolf Population Stalled at 114. “The Mexican gray wolf recovery effort has once again stalled, thanks to a high mortality rate among the pups born in the wild this year, an almost 10 percent mortality rate among adults and the continued removal of wolves from the wild population. The annual census concluded at least 114 wolves remain in the wild, up from 113 last year. The wild wolves had 50 pups in the course of the year — but only 26 survived. Meanwhile, 12 adults were killed, many by human actions. Another 10 were removed, usually because they either may have killed livestock or behaved in a way considered threatening to humans, according to the report issued by the Mexican Wolf Interagency Field Team last week. That adds up to a nearly 50 percent mortality rate among pups and a 20 percent mortality or removal rate among adults.” [Payson Roundup 2/27/18]