Although the Mexican wolf was once widespread throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico, it was hunted and trapped almost to extinction by the early 20th century. In 1976, the Mexican wolf was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Since then, efforts have been made to recover the Mexican wolf population, and there are now two wild populations of Mexican wolves in the United States: one in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in Arizona and New Mexico, and the other in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico.
Wolves are an important part of the ecosystem. They help to control deer populations, which can help to prevent overgrazing and maintain healthy plant communities. Wolves also help to keep rodents in check. Rodents can spread diseases and damage crops, so wolves play a role in protecting human health and agriculture.
