Arizona Representatives Behind Bill Aiming to Delist Mexican Wolf from Endangered Species Act

Congressman Paul A. Gosar has introduced legislation that would delist the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act and delink its populations in the United States and Mexico.

H.R. 4255, the Enhancing Safety for Animals (ESA) Act, has the support of Congressmen Andy Biggs, Abe Hamadeh, and Eli Crane.

The Mexican wolf, listed as Endangered for nearly 40 years, has surpassed federal recovery goals.

Uncontrolled and unmanaged, they now threaten our communities.

Congressman Hamadeh supports @RepGosar's bill to delist them from the Endangered Species Act.https://t.co/ODlXyWkrej

— Office of Congressman Abe Hamadeh (@RepAbeHamadeh) July 2, 2025

“Since being reintroduced to the wild in Arizona, Mexican wolves have preyed on cattle, livestock, and even family pets, causing significant financial losses and economic hardship on family-run ranches,” stated Gosar.

“The Mexican wolf has lingered on the Endangered Species list for nearly 40 years. During that time, there have been numerous accounts of livestock killings and even declines in some big game herds since these wolves were first listed. Much of this can be attributed to failed management by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) as the uncontrolled and unmanaged wolf populations have been allowed to roam free,” explained Gosar. “In fact, nearly 90% of the wolf’s original habitat falls within the border of Mexico. Significant attacks by wolves on cattle, elk, moose, and sheep have occurred and have negatively impacted hunters and ranchers throughout Arizona.”

Gosar argues that “to make matters worse, the USFWS considers recovery within the borders of Mexico in its management goals. American ranchers are being punished for Mexico’s failure to manage its own animal populations effectively. Immediate delinking is needed to ensure American ranchers are put first.”

“The Mexican wolf population has grown steadily since being reintroduced to the wild. In the U.S., the Mexican wolf population now exceeds the original federal recovery goals for wolves in the wild, with hundreds more in captivity for breeding. Now a stable population, the wolf is no longer in danger of extinction and should be delisted from the Endangered Species Act,” stated Congressman Gosar.

“Now is the time to recognize the catastrophic impact that bad federal policy has on local communities. For too long, ranchers in states near our southern border have shouldered the burden of managing this species with limited tools and little support from the federal government who has imposed all manners of burdens. Ranchers and rural communities face daily challenges such as livestock predation and threats to community safety due to overpopulated wolf packs. We commend Congressman Gosar for introducing the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act and working to bring some relief to these communities,” said Kaitlynn Glover, Executive Director, Public Lands Council.

“The 10(J) experimental population listing of the Mexican wolf is one of the clearest examples in the country of ESA abuse by the environmental community and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The federal protections have been misused by activists to control landscapes and land managers, and their rhetoric often contradicts established science. The rapid increase in wolf populations, coupled with these federal protections, has restricted management options for producers, leading to an increase in cattle losses that negatively impact their profitability. I would like to thank Congressman Gosar for introducing the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act that acknowledges the abuse of the ESA with the Mexican wolf listing and seeks to provide relief to U.S. cattle producers,” stated National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane.

“We applaud Representative Gosar for his leadership on efforts to delist the Mexican wolf,” said John Boelts, President of the Arizona Farm Bureau. “For years, our members have dealt with the devastating effects of the reintroduction of this apex predator. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently reported that the Mexican wolf population in the U.S. has surpassed 280. It’s time to delist the species and provide relief to Arizona’s ranchers and rural communities who have dealt with years of negative impacts and complex regulations. State governments should now be given the opportunity to manage the wolf population directly.”