A recent annual survey indicates that the population of Mexican gray wolves in the wild has increased for the fourth year in a row. The latest data shows that the Mexican gray wolf, a species that came close to extinction, may be on the road to recovery.

Back in the early 1900s, the Mexican gray wolf was almost driven to extinction due to the efforts of hunters and trappers. After the wolves started attacking livestock in Central America, concerned citizens started reducing their population and by the 1950s, the species was almost totally extinct in the wild. However, the efforts of a number of captive breeding programs succeeded in keeping the species alive and after years of breeding these animals and releasing them in the wild, the population of Mexican gray wolves in the wild has steadily been increasing.

The annual survey, which was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last year, shows a total of 83 wild gray wolves. Thirty seven of these wolves were found in Arizona while 46 were found in New Mexico.

There are numerous species of gray wolves in North America that have been classified as endangered. However, conservation efforts have increased and stabilized their population. Due to the increasing numbers of gray wolves in the wild, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has also announced a proposal to remove a number of species from the endangered species list. This will also allow the agency to focus their efforts on the Mexican gray wolf. However, it may take some time before the populations of Mexican gray wolves increase to the point where it can be taken off the list. 

"The proposed rule is based on the best science available and incorporates new information about the gray wolf's current and historical distribution in the contiguous United States and Mexico," said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a post on its site. "It focuses the protection on the Mexican wolf, the only remaining entity that warrants protection under the Act, by designating the Mexican wolf as an endangered subspecies."

Researchers have pointed out the result of the recent survey is very promising. In the meantime, conservation efforts will continue to ensure the continued survival of the Mexican gray wolf.