Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project

Who We Are:

The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project was started by a group of conservationists in 2004.  We are a non-profit organization and we work with other conservation partner organizations to support the return of wolves to the region.  Our goals are to work with leaders in the Grand Canyon National Park, public land managers, and the public to lead the way for the return of the Mexican gray wolf to suitable habitat in its historic range in the region.

Mexican Wolf History:

The high deserts and mountains in the Grand Canyon region have been home to the Mexican wolf for more than 10,000 years.  During the 1900s, the federal government set out to eliminate wolves from the landscape.  By 1970, no wild Mexican gray wolves remained in the United States. In fact, only 7 were left in the entire world.

In 1976, they were placed on the endangered species list. A captive breeding program was started by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to prevent their extinction.  It was hoped that eventually it would be possible to return them to parts of their historic range.

In 1998, eleven Mexican wolves were released from captivity into an area in eastern Arizona called the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. 

Nearly 20 years have passed since they were first returned to the wild.  The Mexican wolf is still the rarest of all gray wolves.

We now know that for the Mexican wolf to have a secure future, it will need more room to roam and establish new packs.  The Grand Canyon region will be an important part of their full recovery.

What We Do:

The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project works for the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf by:

• Talking to people about why wolves are important to healthy ecosystems at area events.
• Educating children and young people in schools.
• Organizing and helping people show their support for wolf recovery to government agencies in charge of wolf recovery.
• Organizing events that give people the opportunity to learn about wolves and to support wolf recovery.

Grand Canyon Region:

Scientists tell us that the Grand Canyon region in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah is ideal for the Mexican gray wolf because:

• It has millions of acres of protected public land.
• Grand Canyon National Park, where animals are protected, is part of the region.
• It is connected to where wolves now live in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area.  If allowed to, wolves will naturally migrate to the region.
• There are few roads and there is an abundance of elk and deer as a food source for wolves.

Wildlife biologists also recommend that wolves be directly released into the region.  This will help restore the balance of nature and help the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf from near extinction.

Restoring the Balance - Bring Back the Wolf!

Many people in Arizona understand that wolves are an important part of the balance. A poll of 695 randomly chosen Arizonans was done by Northern Arizona University’s Social Research Lab. They found that four out of five people support natural migration of Mexican wolves into the Grand Canyon region. And 86% said wolves bring a natural balance to the Southwest landscape.

It is time to redefine the way we see wolves.  We all depend on our natural ecosystems.  Each plant and animal is important.  Let's work together to restore the balance. Join us to make the Grand Canyon region ready for the return of the wolf.

You may contact the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project at:

Emily Renn, Executive Director
Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
P.O. Box 233
Flagstaff, AZ 86002

www.gcwolfrecovery.org
info@gcwolfrecovery.org
(928) 202-1325