This bill would take the Mexican wolf off the federal endangered and threatened species lists. It would also cancel two federal rules about the wolf, including the rule that lists it as endangered and a 2022 rule about how the government manages the experimental wolf population. If the wolf is ever considered for listing again, officials could not use wolf numbers or recovery progress in Mexico when deciding protections inside the United States.

The bill says the wolf population has grown for nine straight years, with at least 286 wolves in the wild and about 350 in captivity by the end of 2024. It argues that wolves are killing livestock, risking people and pets, and hurting hunting and recreation, which creates costs for ranchers. It also criticizes federal rules for proving when a wolf killed livestock, saying those rules make it hard for ranchers to get paid for losses.

Key points

• Who is affected: Ranchers, farmers, and residents in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area; hunters and outdoor users; and federal wildlife agencies that manage wolves.
• What changes: Remove the Mexican wolf from the endangered and threatened species lists; cancel two federal rules about its status and management; future listing decisions for the U.S. could not count wolf numbers or recovery progress in Mexico.
• When: These changes would take effect if the bill becomes law.