After two years of releasing wolves into Southwestern forests, biologists say their progress has not been as fast as envisioned. In the first year, at least five wolves were shot to death. Two lone males are in the wild, and biologists recently moved a female adult and two pups into a holding pen. The biologists hope to group those wolves with one of the lone males. Now, biologists want to move additional wolves into the Gila Wilderness, a huge, roadless expanse in southwestern New Mexico that is almost entirely devoid of cows.
Biologists say it also has enough elk to support wolves.
They hope to move some wolves into the area in the spring. The Fish and Wildlife Service has scheduled two hearings on plans to move wolves into the Gila Wilderness.