Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ) recently spoke during a legislative hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries in favor of the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act (ESA), which removes the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) from the Endangered Species List.
"Since being reintroduced to the wild in Arizona, Mexican wolves have significantly grown in population," Rep. Gosar began, adding, "In fact, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declared in 2024 that the Mexican wolf population had nearly doubled its recovery goal in the United States. Additionally, another 350 Mexican wolves are currently being housed in captive breeding facilities. Yet the wolf has remained on the Endangered Species list since 1982."
Rep. Gosar described in detail how the wolves have all but been given free rein to prey on sheep, cattle, horses, elk, and even pets, forcing Arizona, New Mexico, and Tribal nations to declare disasters in areas populated by the lupine menace, as thousands of dollars are lost every year due to attacks.
"Now a stable population, the Mexican wolf has grown steadily since being reintroduced to the wild," the Arizona Congressman concluded. "Today's legislative hearing was an important next step in ensuring my legislation delisting the Mexican wolf from the ESA is brought to the House floor for a vote."
Gosar introduced the bill at the beginning of July, where he further noted that 90% of the wolves' range is in Mexico, yet "the USFWS [US Fish and Wildlife Service] considers recovery within the borders of Mexico in its management goals. American ranchers are being punished for Mexico's failure to manage its own animal populations effectively."
Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ), the bill's cosponsor, said, "The Mexican wolf is destroying the livelihood of western ranchers by slaughtering their cattle. Because of its status as an endangered species–a falsehood perpetuated by the Biden Administration and environmental groups–ranchers cannot protect their herds from these predators."
