Mexican gray wolf population bounces back in Southwest

Mexican gray wolf population bounces back in Southwest Arizona Republic Endangered Mexican gray wolves rebounded from a deadly 2015 to reach a population of 113 in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico last year, the most since the species returned to the wild almost 20 years ago, federal and state biologists announced Friday. The population of wolves, first reintroduced from captive breeding into the two states in 1998, had grown by fits and starts to 110 two years ago before dropping back to 97 at the end of 2015…Fifty wild-born pups survived the year, compared with just 23 in 2015…Arizona has favored placing captive-born pups with wild packs in the state lately, instead of releasing pairs to form new packs. The tactic remains risky, Robinson said, as the annual census shows only three of six wolves fostered in this manner apparently survived last year. New Mexico, meanwhile, has secured a court injunction barring new releases into that state for the time being.