For immediate release November 15, 2024

Media contacts: 

Cyndi Tuell, Western Watersheds Project, 520-272-2454, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club - Grand Canyon Chapter, 602-999-5790, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Taylor McKinnon, Center for Biological Diversity, 801-300-2414, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Claire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, 928-202-1325, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Conservation groups demand justice after Mexican wolf near Flagstaff found dead

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona Game and Fish Department announced today that Hope, a Mexican wolf living west of Flagstaff since at least June, was found dead on November 7th in the vicinity of Forest Service Road 2058 and East Spring Valley Road. No other details of her death were released and the incident is under investigation. 

“Hope was a sentient individual being and a messenger of the changes needed in the Mexican gray wolf recovery program,” said Claire Musser, executive director, at Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “The territory she claimed north of Interstate 40 and outside of the official recovery area demonstrated that suitable and appropriate Mexican wolf habitat exists in northern Arizona. The federal and state agencies should be listening to what she had to say and allow wolves to become active agents in their recovery.” 

“In every photo we saw of Hope, her collar was plainly visible. If she was shot, the shooter had to know she wasn’t a coyote,” said Cyndi Tuell, Arizona and New Mexico director at Western Watersheds Project. “If someone killed Hope, the full weight of the federal and state law should be brought to bear against the person or persons who took her away from our human community which found inspiration and joy in her existence, and from the non-human community that depends upon top predators to bring balance to the landscape.” 

According to the announcement of Hope’s death, DNA analysis revealed she had dispersed from the Tu Dil Hil pack in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area. Hope was seen traveling with another Mexican wolf, known as Mystery. Mystery’s fate is unknown.

Wolves like Hope and the Kendrick Peak pack had broad public support from the people in northern Arizona and beyond. In 2021, the City of Flagstaff passed a resolution supporting the recovery of Mexican gray wolves in northern Arizona in order to restore the natural balance of the land, and for the economic benefits from wolf-related tourism. Scientists have recommended that additional subpopulations be included in the recovery plan for Mexican gray wolves, including the Grand Canyon ecoregion and the southern Rockies of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. 

“If the investigation into Hope’s death reveals that a person killed her, we expect the Arizona Game and Fish Department to advocate for justice for Hope,” said Sandy Bahr, director for Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. “When someone poaches an elk or kills the wrong species of deer, the Arizona Game and Fish Department immediately seeks help from the public to solve the crime and when the perpetrator is identified, the Department takes action. They have a trust responsibility for all of Arizona’s wildlife. We expect them to uphold that responsibility for Hope.”

“Hope embodied the dreams of so many here in Flagstaff, including the school children who named her, that wolves can return and restore natural balance to the Grand Canyon region,” said Taylor McKinnon, the Southwest director of the Center for Biological Diversity. “Anyone with information about this senseless death should report it so our elk-filled forests can once again thrive with the wolves who belong here.”

Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or up to one year in jail, seizure of firearms, vehicles, and buildings involved in the crime, plus a potential civil penalty of up to $25,000. Individuals with information they believe may be helpful in solving crimes related to Mexican gray wolves are urged to call one of the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Pinetop, Arizona, at (346) 254-0515; or AZGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. There is a $103,500 reward fund for information about illegal killings of Mexican gray wolves.

Photos are available for media use upon request.

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For Immediate Release, October 7, 2024

Contact:

Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project, (520) 623-1878; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, (575) 313-7017, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Claire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, (928) 202-1325, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Flagstaff Wolf Removal Violates Endangered Species Act, Conservationists Warn

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.—Three conservation groups today notified state and federal agencies that ongoing efforts to trap and relocate Mexican gray wolves west of Flagstaff violate the Endangered Species Act. The wolves, known as the Kendrick Peak pack, have been thriving in this area near the Grand Canyon since at least June.

“These tenacious Mexican wolves belong right where they are, so we’re putting wildlife officials on notice that they’ll be breaking the law if they try to relocate them,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Instead of trapping and removing the Kendrick Peak pack, state and federal officials should be doing everything they can to ensure that Mexican wolves recover.”

Mexican wolves living north of Interstate 40 are fully protected under the Endangered Species Act, including its ban on trapping and other harm. Today’s notice advises the USDA’s Wildlife Services and Arizona Game and Fish Department that they lack any permission to trap the Kendrick Peak wolf family.

The only relevant permit authorizes the trapping and relocation of Mexican wolves that have dispersed from what is called the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area. That area encompasses all of Arizona and New Mexico south of I-40 to the Mexico border.

The permit’s authorization to trap or move wolves does not apply to wolves in the vicinity of Kendrick Peak because their origins are not known.

“It’s entirely possible that these wolves were born to parents who have been living undetected outside of the experimental population area,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project. “The vast and wild Grand Canyon ecoregion is perfect habitat for wolves but the agencies insist on keeping wolves south of Interstate 40 for wholly political reasons.”

The Kendrick Peak wolf family is being trapped for alleged conflict associated with public lands grazing allotments. No efforts to protect the cattle from predation have been implemented on these allotments, and the cattle are scheduled to be removed from the allotments at the end of October. The livestock industry is compensated for losses due to wolf predation.

"Wolves are essential to the ecological health of the Grand Canyon ecoregion and should be allowed to find territories naturally,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “Instead of translocation, we should work with communities to prevent conflict and foster a culture of tolerance and respect for these vital predators.”

Trapping risks injury to the endangered wolves, even when done by government agencies. At least 17 Mexican gray wolves have died as a direct result of agency trapping and handling since 1999. Moreover, the notice explained that allowing Mexican wolves to expand their range northward into the Grand Canyon ecoregion would further their conservation as the Endangered Species Act requires.

The Center for Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project filed today’s notice. The Endangered Species Act requires such a written notice of the violation as a prerequisite to filing a lawsuit.

Mexican gray wolf photo available for media use with appropriate credit: Jim Clark/USFWS. Image is available for media use.

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For immediate release: October 3, 2024

Media contacts: 

Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project (520) 623-1878; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Regan Downey, Wolf Conservation Center (914)763-2373; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Claire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project (928) 202-1325; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Sandy Bahr, Sierra Club – Grand Canyon Chapter, (602) 999-5790, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Government Goes After Flagstaff Wolf Family

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are currently trapping and planning to remove the Kendrick Peak family of wolves who have been living in the wilds west of Flagstaff since at least June of this year. The wolves, two of whom have been named “Hope” and “Mystery,” have become locally-celebrated with many Flagstaff residents welcoming their return to these lands. 

“It’s disappointing that the agencies insist on enforcing the arbitrary and unscientific boundaries of the recovery area, when the very presence of these wolves in the Grand Canyon ecoregion demonstrates what real recovery must look like: broad geographic distribution of wolves throughout the southwest,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project. “Nature abhors bureaucracy.” 

The Kendrick Peak wolf family has broad support in the Flagstaff community, including from scientists, Flagstaff’s Mayor, and from Flagstaff’s City Council which in 2021 passed a resolution in support of the Endangered Species Act and Mexican gray wolves. In August of this year, wolf supporters held a rally in Flagstaff asking the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to let this wolf family stay near Kendrick Peak and north of the arbitrary Interstate 40 boundary. Scientists have concluded that establishing a population of wolves in the Grand Canyon region of northern Arizona is necessary for Mexican gray wolf recovery as part of the larger recovery efforts throughout the Southwest. Dozens of Arizonans also reached out to the management agencies requesting that the Kendrick Peak family be left alone. 

“Hope and Mystery are sentient individual beings with their own lives to lead. They have chosen Kendrick Peak as their home, and it’s time we listen to them as they tell us what they need,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “We need to embrace this opportunity, let our wolves lead the way, and allow them to become active participants in their recovery—not risk their lives simply because they don’t conform to our predetermined human rules.”

“It’s outrageous that Arizona’s moving forward with a dangerous plan to capture and relocate the Kendrick Peak pack,” said Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Wolves like Hope could thrive in this wild landscape if we let them. Their return to the Grand Canyon region should be met with celebration, not traps.”

“We should be thanking these wolves for establishing a territory in ideal lobo habitat. They’re reminding us that if we just let wolves be wolves, a healthier and more widespread population of Mexican gray wolves is on the horizon,” said Regan Downey, director of education at the Wolf Conservation Center.

“Mexican gray wolves belong in the Grand Canyon region – they, scientists, and conservationists agree on that – and wolves are a critical component to ensuring healthy ecosystems in the region,” said Sandy Bahr, director for Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. “The Kendrick Peak pack is doing its part and has been welcomed by the Flagstaff community. Game and Fish should do its part, do its job, and let them be!”

Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act. Killing a Mexican wolf is a violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, and/or up to one year in jail, plus a potential civil penalty of up to $25,000. Individuals with information they believe may be helpful are urged to call one of the following agencies: USFWS special agents in Pinetop, Arizona, at (346) 254-0515; the WMAT at (928) 338-1023 or (928) 338-4385; AZGFD Operation Game Thief at (800) 352-0700; or NMDGF Operation Game Thief at (800) 432-4263. There is a $105,000 reward fund for information about illegal killings of Mexican gray wolves. 

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For immediate release, September 9, 2024

Media contacts: 

Claire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, (928) 202-1325, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Erin Hunt, Lobos of the Southwest, (928) 421-0187, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Local Students Name Wandering Wolf “Mystery” as Part of Wildlife Conservation Initiative

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A group of 5th-grade students from Marshall Magnet Elementary School have named a previously unknown Mexican gray wolf, calling them “Mystery.” The wolf is with a collared female wolf named Hope (F2979), and together, they are known as the Kendrick Peak Pack and have been roaming the lands west of Flagstaff since early June 2024. The name "Mystery" was proposed by Josie, one of the students participating in the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery project's new “Learning from Lobos” educational program.

"I thought the name 'Mystery' was perfect because we don’t know much about this wolf yet, and it’s like they have their own secret adventure,” said Josie, a student who took part in the naming activity. Josie chose the name to reflect the unknown aspects of the wolf’s life, including their gender and untold story. “I learned that there aren’t many wolves left in the wild, and a lot of them are in danger. You can help by donating to the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project—I even asked my mom to donate!” she added. Josie hopes others will recognize the wolves’ endangered status and feel inspired to help protect them.

The students' engagement with this conservation effort was sparked by a presentation from Claire Musser, Executive Director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. The presentation was part of the "Learning from Lobos" program, an inquiry-based educational initiative that uses storytelling to challenge common misconceptions about wolves and foster compassion for these misunderstood beings. Through this program, students are encouraged to think critically about the role of wolves in the ecosystem and use empathy to understand the intrinsic value of wolves.

In addition to naming the wolf, the students also explored the complex social structures of wolf packs. Their research and newfound understanding were shared in classroom discussions, where many students expressed a newfound respect and admiration for these animals. "The opportunity to name a wolf had a profound impact on our students,” said Meghan Mears, one of the 5th-grade teachers. “They were incredibly motivated, diving into research about wolves and discussing how these animals are unfairly judged. This activity has not only deepened their understanding of wildlife conservation but also empowered them to become advocates for protecting wolves and their habitats." She added, "My students are now equipped to explain to others why wolves are unfairly judged and are actively seeking ways to protect their environment…One of the standout moments was when students expressed that if they were wolves, they would feel hurt by how misunderstood they are. This activity has truly opened their eyes to the importance of coexistence with wildlife.”

The Kendrick Peak Pack, consisting of Hope and Mystery, is currently under the watchful eye of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, which plans to track the pack and translocate any wolves found north of Interstate 40 back into the designated recovery area. The ongoing monitoring of these wolves highlights the ongoing challenges of wolf conservation in the Grand Canyon ecoregion.

“The students’ enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions show that education about wildlife conservation can have a lasting impact,” said Claire Musser. “Students learn that wolves are sentient individuals, and by giving these wolves names and learning their individual stories, students learn that in many ways, wolves are just like us, and they can better advocate for their protection.”

“The students who help name endangered wild lobos, whether through the Learning From Lobos program or the annual Pup Naming Contest, have shown incredible passion for saving wolves and the wild places they call home,” said Erin Hunt, managing director for Lobos of the Southwest. “Honoring lobos with names helps people everywhere connect with them and learn from their unique journeys in the wild. We are so grateful to all of the students who have participated over the years, and we owe it to each and every one of them to ensure that they inherit a future where lobos are free to roam and safe from harm.” 

The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project continues to work toward the recovery and protection of Mexican gray wolves in northern Arizona, emphasizing the importance of public education and engagement in achieving long-term conservation goals. Lobos of the Southwest is a collaborative effort of concerned community members, scientists, educators, and local, regional, and national conservation organizations working to save the endangered Mexican gray wolf through education and advocacy.

Harming a Mexican wolf is a violation of state law and the Federal Endangered Species Act and can result in criminal penalties of up to $50,000, forfeiture of vehicles and firearms, and/or up to one year in jail. Visitors to wolf habitat are encouraged to learn the differences between coyotes and Mexican wolves to avoid any unintentional harm.

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For Immediate Release, August 8, 2024

Contact: Michael Robinson, Center for Biological Diversity, (575) 313-7017, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Claire Musser, Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, (928) 202-1325, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Greta Anderson, Western Watersheds Project, (520) 623-1878, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Wolf Supporters to Rally Friday at Arizona Game Commission Meeting in Flagstaff

Residents Oppose Removing Mexican Wolf Family Near Grand Canyon

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.— Wolf supporters will rally Friday morning before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s regular meeting in Flagstaff to show their support for endangered Mexican gray wolves and urge the commission to reverse a plan to remove a wolf family from an area near Grand Canyon National Park.

“Mexican wolves can’t read maps drawn by powerful ranching interests to limit their movements and they shouldn’t be confined by arbitrary political boundaries,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Kendrick Peak pack is living precisely where scientists said these wolves can survive and thrive.”

“Let us come together and use our voice to benefit the wolves,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “We need to stop calling wolves voiceless. Hope and the Kendrick Peak pack are showing us what they need, they have a voice, we just need to start listening!”  

“It is within the power of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to let these wolves stay north of Interstate 40, and for the agency to recognize the Grand Canyon ecoregion as an appropriate place to recover the lobo,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director for Western Watersheds Project. “Wolves belong here, and it's high time that humans stop trying to limit their ranges for the sake of political convenience.”  

What: Rally supporting endangered Mexican gray wolves and opposing removal of a wolf family living near the Grand Canyon.

When: Friday, Aug. 9, at 7 a.m. Commission meeting begins at 8 a.m.

Where: Arizona Game and Fish Commission meeting, Little America Hotel, 2515 E. Butler Ave., Flagstaff. The commission meeting can be viewed online. 

Who: Local residents, including some in costume, will urge the commission to order the Arizona Game and Fish Department to rescind its plan to capture and relocate the nearby Kendrick Peak pack. Wolf supporters will also speak during the meeting’s public comment period.

Background 

The Kendrick Peak pack is the first known family of Mexican wolves to live north of Interstate 40, which is the official boundary beyond which Mexican wolves aren’t supposed to venture. 

Eight Mexican wolves are known to have traveled north of the boundary before the Kendrick Peak pack, and some — such as Annubis, near Flagstaff, and Asha, in northern New Mexico — were repeatedly removed and then traveled back north after their release.

The Kendrick Peak pack includes a female who Arizona students named “Hope” after she was captured, radio-collared and released last month. Agency biologists are tracking her locations to enable the planned capture of the entire wolf family.

Under decades of pressure from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the livestock industry, the Fish and Wildlife Service arbitrarily limited the range of Mexican wolves to south of I-40.

Independent scientists, including those appointed to the Service’s own Mexican wolf recovery team, have said recovery will not be possible without a population of wolves in both the Grand Canyon ecosystem and the southern Rocky Mountains, which are north of I-40. Despite those scientists, the Service approved a recovery plan that calls for just one population in the United States living south of I-40.

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.7 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project is dedicated to bringing back wolves to help restore ecological health in the Grand Canyon region.

Western Watersheds Project is a nonprofit conservation organization with a mission to restore western public lands for wildlife.