Arizona Gets Wolves

Endangered species

Mexican gray wolves, which disappeared in Arizona earlier this century, will be reintroduced to the state in the next few months.

The federal government that helped eradicate wolves to protect ranching interests is the same government that will reintroduce them to Arizona.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in control of the reintroduction as administrator of the federal Endangered Species Act. The wolves likely will be released in the Blue Range Primitive Area in far eastern Arizona. The Blue Range adjoins a vast, pristine area in New Mexico.

After the wolves are released, Defenders of Wildlife, a non-profit conservation group, is prepared to reimburse ranchers for any livestock killed by wolves.