Three more Mexican wolves illegally shot. First Wolf Compensation Trust payments for depredation of herding dog and injury to miniature horse. New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and a coalition of ranchers file suit to stop wolf reintroduction. Defenders leads coalition to counter lawsuit. Defenders begins cooperative project with White Mountain Apache to assist with training and equipment in preparation for wolf recolonization on tribal lands.
Defenders sponsors five-state reintroduction feasibility studies in northern Mexico.
Sixteen wolves held for possible translocation into the roadless and largely livestock-free Gila Wilderness in western New Mexico. This represents .01 percent of the total livestock present in the area Defenders hires ranchhand to assist area rancher in minimizing conflict with wolves present during calving season. Judge rules against New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau's lawsuit seeking to halt wolf reintroduction. Public Hearings held in Reserve, New Mexico, and Silver City, New Mexico in early March.