75, in 14 packs. But only three of them had pups in that year that survived until Dec. 31 of that year, down from an average of five of six successful breeding pairs in the mid- 2000s.

The genetically limited pool — which has been further limited by shooting and trapping, including federally called-for relocations and euthanasia when wolves become a problem among local livestock — has led to smaller Mexican wolf litters and lower survival rates for pups, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

Lobos of the Southwest, a Mexican wolf protection organization, says that the rule is part good, and part bad, and may actually threaten the survival and recovery of Mexican gray wolves.

“The problem is the bad overrides all of the good, so the good isendangered mammal in the U.S. with only about 75 in the wild. Additional wolves must be released into the wild now to increase the genetic health of the species. Numerous wolves are in captive breeding facilities around the country, prepared for, and awaiting, release.

Wolves once lived throughout the west and played a critical role in keeping the balance of nature in place. We need to restore this important animal that has been missing for too long.

Wolves need freedom from boundaries. Given room to roam, the wolves will establish themselves in suitable areas with adequate game. The USFWS proposal does not allow wolves to establish new packs and populations in additional areas that are essential to their recovery.

Additional populations of Mexican wolves are necessary to their recovery and genetic