Mexican Gray Wolf Crosses Into Mexico Through New Mexico’s Last Open Corridor as Wall Construction Advances

The planned closure of the Bootheel gap could cut off gene flow between the small U.S. and Mexican wolf populations.

Overview

Cedar, a radio-collared Mexican gray wolf, crossed from New Mexico into Chihuahua through the Bootheel gap last week, according to federal and state wildlife officials.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is building 30-foot steel bollards across about 49 miles in the Bootheel with plans for 60 miles of secondary wall, a design that blocks most medium and large mammals.
Wildlife agencies counted 319 wolves in Arizona and New Mexico and about 38 in Mexico, and biologists say movement between the two groups is vital because all wolves descend from seven founders.
If the corridor closes, managers may have to lean more on hands-on steps such as cross-fostering and translocations, including two family packs moved to Durango in April, to keep genes from narrowing further.
Conservationists warn the barriers will also hinder species like jaguars, while DHS cites security needs and adds small-animal openings that do not help wide-ranging predators.