Mexican Gray Wolf

Status: Endangered Subspecies

Mexican Gray Wolves (Canis lupis baileyi) are the smallest, most southern dwelling, and most endangered of the Gray Wolf subspecies.  Declared endangered in 1976, the five remaining wild wolves were brought to safety to begin a captive breeding program. In 1978, the first captive-bred pups were born. Reintroduction to the wild in Arizona began with 11 wolves in 1998. As of 2025, there are at least 286 wild Mexican wolves in the US, 45 in Mexico, and 380 in captive breeding programs.