Mexican Gray Wolves Return to the Wild with Help from ABQ BioPark

The ABQ BioPark, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is playing a vital role in restoring the endangered Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) to the wild. By providing expert veterinary care, the BioPark gives injured and ailing wolves a second chance—helping them heal, return to their packs, and thrive in their recovery area across New Mexico and Arizona.

The BioPark has been a dedicated partner in Mexican gray wolf conservation for decades, supporting the recovery of a species once on the brink of extinction. In the 1970s, only a handful of these wolves remained in the wild. Today, thanks to collaborative conservation efforts, their numbers are steadily climbing.

“The ABQ BioPark continues to lead with compassion, expertise, and a deep commitment to New Mexico’s native land and species,” said Brandon Gibson, ABQ BioPark Director. “Their work alongside the USFWS with Mexican gray wolves is an example how the ABQ BioPark can make a real impact on a national scale.”

Through advanced imaging, surgery, and medical care, BioPark veterinarians have helped rehabilitate multiple wolves. In recent months, patients included:

• In December 2024, two wolf pups were suspected of having mild heart murmurs during routine health assessments. They were transported to the BioPark for a thorough cardiac scan. The BioPark’s veterinary team and a local ultrasonographer determined the pups were fit to rejoin their pack. USFWS biologists continue to monitor their health and development.
• This January, a female wolf undergoing a field examination was found to have elevated kidney levels. BioPark veterinarians diagnosed underlying early-stage kidney and heart disease, and determined the wolf was healthy enough for a return to her home at the Sevilleta Wolf Management Facility. She delivered pups in late March, and biologists continue to track her and her growing pack’s progress.
• In mid-March, a wild female wolf was found with a foot injury and transported to the BioPark for care. After receiving expert treatment from BioPark veterinarians, she fully recovered and was released near her pack on March 25.

These wolves are more than just individual success stories, they are crucial to the survival of their species and the health of the ecosystems they inhabit. As apex predators, Mexican gray wolves help regulate prey populations, maintaining the delicate balance of the Southwest’s wild landscapes.

Mexican gray wolves were listed as endangered in 1976, prompting the launch of a binational breeding and recovery program in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and partner facilities. Since the first reintroduction in the late 1990s, the breeding population has grown to more than 300 wolves, ensuring vital genetic diversity for future wild releases.

The BioPark is poised to expand its conservation impact even further. A new behind-the-scenes Mexican Wolf Conservation Facility is currently under construction, providing much-needed space for breeding, rehabilitation, and pre-release preparations. The ABQ BioPark connects people with nature and inspires lasting community investment in conservation—right here in New Mexico. To stay updated on the BioPark’s conservation efforts visit www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark/conservation.

Download photos and b-roll of some of these recent success stories.