Once common throughout the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, Mexican gray wolves almost went extinct, with only seven known individuals left in the wild in the mid-1900s.
Now, Zoo New England along with more than 50 other zoos and conservation centers participate in a collaborative conservation program to help restore this critically endangered species in the wild.
The wolf pack at Zoo New England’s Stone Zoo is an integral part of this international effort. Through the AZA’s Mexican Gray Wolf SAFE program, we’ve overseen births and collaborated closely with other facilities to transfer and care for wolves on their journey to being re-introduced to the wild to augment the wild population’s numbers and increase genetic diversity. One of the few programs involving captive-to-wild release of endangered animals, this exciting conservation initiative is already seeing positive results. From just seven wolves, the population has increased to more than 250 in the wild as of 2024.
Lobo Week celebrates the 27th anniversary of the first release of 11 captive-reared Mexican wolves into the wild in the Blue Range Recovery Area of Arizona and New Mexico on March 29, 1998. This historic event marked the first time in over 30 years that Mexican gray wolves would live in their ancestral home again.
As we celebrate Lobo Week during Women’s History Month, we acknowledge the crossover between impactful conservation programs and the many incredible women who influence species conservation all over the globe. Each of our six Mexican gray wolves is named after a powerful female conservationist, so in honor of Lobo Week during Women’s History Month, let’s meet our pack and celebrate their namesakes [Photos: Keeper Dayle Sullivan-Taylor].
Jean Craighead George is the famed author of the Newbury Medal-winning “Julie of the Wolves” series, Newbury runner-up “My Side of the Mountain,” and over 100 other books for children and young adults teaching about animals and the natural world. “Julie of the Wolves” beautifully depicts the behavior and complex communication of wolves through the story of a young Inuit girl lost on the Alaskan tundra.
Cristina Mittermeier is a marine biologist, activist, and pioneer in the field of conservation photography. Her award-winning photos focus on demonstrating the delicate relationship between humans and the environment and how climate change impacts animals and their habitats.
Saengduean Chailert, also known as Lek, is an award-winning conservationist and founder of the Save the Elephant Foundation who has worked for over two decades to raise awareness for the plight of both captive and wild Asian elephants.
Rachel Carson was a marine biologist, writer, and conservationist famously known for her 1962 book “Silent Spring.” A revolutionary novel of the time, “Silent Spring” warned against the indiscriminate harm caused by pesticides like DDT and inspired a grassroots conservation movement that led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots, is a zoologist, primatologist, anthropologist, and author. She is considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees after 60 years of studying the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees. In April of 2022, Dr. Goodall was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
Mollie Beattie was a conservationist and government official who served as the first female Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service from 1993 to 1996. During her tenure, she oversaw the successful reintroduction of gray wolves into the northern Rocky Mountains and was a fierce advocate for bringing a holistic ecosystem approach to fish and wildlife management.
Like women, wolves are strong, intelligent, and valuable members of their communities. Wolves are vital to healthy ecosystems, and our work at Stone Zoo is helping restore this species in the wild. We encourage you to learn about Mexican gray wolves and join us in celebrating them. Happy Lobo Week and Women’s History Month!