MEXICAN WOLF Canis lupus baileyi (Nelson and Goldman) 



Order: CARNIVORA Family: CANIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A very small, dark wolf, the smallest wolf in North America; 

 face very short, and cheeks wide. Weight of males under one hundred pounds; females 

 under seventy. 



Present distribution : Extreme southern Arizona, east to west Texas, south to San Luis 

 Potosi in Mexico . 



Former distribution : About the same as present distribution, but within this range the 

 Mexican wolf has been eliminated from many areas . 



Status : Apparently extirpated in the United States during the 1940' s, but the species 

 has reappeared in recent years in Arizona and Texas. 



Estimated numbers : Not known; at least six specimens have been reported in Arizona 

 and Texas since 1968. 



Breeding rate in the wild : The same as for other wolves . They do not breed until they 

 are two to three years old; the gestation period is from 60 to 63, with the average litter 

 size being seven. 



Reasons for decline : Heavy hunting and trapping pressure to eliminate the wolf as a 

 predator on domestic livestock . 



Protective measures already taken : Defenders of Wildlife has paid livestock damage costs, 

 and is attempting to purchase land; Federal predator control operations have ceased in 



the area. "The Arizona Game and Fish Department 



protects wolves in Arizona with a no open season regulation." 

 Measures proposed : Locate areas where populations occur; educate the public to avoid 

 hunting and trapping of wild canids in these areas; establish sanctuaries in west Texas 

 and eastern Arizona to protect resident populations and/or migrants from Mexico. 



BNumber in captivity : None . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Probably good. 



Remarks: Two animals taken in western Texas in 1968 have been definately identified as 

 Mexican wolves (C. lupus baileyi ) by Paradiso and Nowak . It is not now known, however, 

 whether the wolves in Arizona and Texas are remnant native populations, or are migrants 

 from Mexico; E. L. Cockrum of the University of Arizona, believes that the Arizona 

 population is a remnant native . 



References : 



Anderson, T. 1973. pers . comm. 

 Caroline, M. 1973. pers. comm. 

 Defenders of Wildlife. 1973. pers. comm. 



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