Published TUESDAY September 9, 2025: 'El Lobo Returns' Photography by ZUMA Partner newspaper The Albuquerque Journal photo-journalist Chancey Bush and story by staff writer Cathy Cook: The Mexican gray wolf, also known as 'the lobo', is the most endangered subspecies of gray wolf in North America. Once roaming widely across northern Mexico and the southwestern US, these wolves were driven to near extinction. Today, thanks to tireless conservation efforts, the lobo is making a fragile return and the Southwestern population of gray wolves has grown for the ninth consecutive year. However protection for the wolves under the federal Endangered Species Act is facing opposition from ranchers who say the danger this keystone predator poses to their cattle threatens their livelihood. If passed, the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act would delist the Mexican gray wolf. Welcome to 'El Lobo Returns'
© zReportage.com Issue #1004 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY September 9, 2025: 'El Lobo Returns' Photography by ZUMA Partner newspaper The Albuquerque Journal photo-journalist Chancey Bush and story by staff writer Cathy Cook: The Mexican gray wolf, also known as 'the lobo', is the most endangered subspecies of gray wolf in North America. Once roaming widely across northern Mexico and the southwestern US, these wolves were driven to near extinction. Today, thanks to tireless conservation efforts, the lobo is making a fragile return and the Southwestern population of gray wolves has grown for the ninth consecutive year. However protection for the wolves under the federal Endangered Species Act is facing opposition from ranchers who say the danger this keystone predator poses to their cattle threatens their livelihood. If passed, the Enhancing Safety for Animals Act would delist the Mexican gray wolf. Welcome to 'El Lobo Returns'

GRACE DOUGAN, volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, carries a tranquilized female Mexican wolf from the helicopter during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. The female wolf was found with a bite wound on her neck. Vets treated her wound, administered antibiotics and vaccinations, drew her blood, measured her weight and length, and fitted her with a tracking collar before she was released back into the wild.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Dr. SUSAN DICKS, veterinarian of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, measures the incisors of a female Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and wellbeing of the endangered species.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Natural habitat for gray wolves, a forested area near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. Each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the endangered species.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

THEO GUY, with the White Mountain Apache Tribe Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project, measures the paw of a female Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Medical supplies at the ready during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

GRACE DOUGAN, volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, carries a tranquilized female Mexican wolf from the helicopter during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. The female wolf was found with a bite wound on her neck. Vets treated her wound, administered antibiotics and vaccinations, drew her blood, measured her weight and length, and fitted her with a tracking collar before she was released back into the wild.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

CASSIDI COBOS, biologist with Turner Endangered Species Fund, administers vaccinations to a tranquilized male Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

IV is administered to the tranquilized wolves to help keep the wolf hydrated as the team examines and administers vaccines during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M., As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the endangered species.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Theo Guy, with the White Mountain Apache Tribe Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project, measures the paw of a female Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek. As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the endangered species.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

The annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the endangered species.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Dr. OLE ALCUMBRAC watches as the Mexican Wolf Recovery team examine a male Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the wolves.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

CASSIDI COBOS, biologist with Turner Endangered Species Fund, back, and PAMELA CABANAS, sanctuary manager and Mexican Wolf SSP Liaison at Wolf Haven International, front, carry a tranquilized male Mexican wolf to the tailgate of a truck to be examined and fitted with a tracking collar during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Blood is drawn from a male Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. As part of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Plan, each year federal, state and tribal agencies across New Mexico and Arizona tracks and records the progress of population growth and overall health of the endangered species.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

Theo Guy, with the White Mountain Apache Tribe Mexican Wolf Reintroduction Project, fits a tracking collar for the Mexican wolf during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

GRACE DOUGAN, volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, carries a tranquilized female Mexican wolf from the helicopter during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M. The female wolf was found with a bite wound on her neck. Vets treated her wound, administered antibiotics and vaccinations, drew her blood, measured her weight and length, and fitted her with a tracking collar, before she was released back into the wild.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

SAVANNAH CANTRELL, volunteer technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, carries a tranquilized male Mexican wolf from the helicopter during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire

GRACE DOUGAN, volunteer with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, stands ready to retrieve a darted female Mexican wolf from the helicopter during the annual Mexican wolf count near Apache Creek in southwest N.M.
© Chancey Bush/Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA Press Wire