MenuGrand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project
WebsiteMission Statement
The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project is dedicated to bringing back wolves to help restore ecological health in the Grand Canyon region.
Description
The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project (GCWRP) works collaboratively with partner organizations to engage the regional public in taking action to promote wolf restoration. By creating meaningful opportunities for the public to learn about wolves, experience their habitat first-hand, interact with land managers and influence decision-making, we are making positive grassroots change to achieve improved and sustainable habitat conditions for wildlife, specifically wolves. Our goals are to compel leadership within the Grand Canyon National Park, surrounding land management agencies, and elected officials to lead the way restoring Mexican gray wolves to some of the best remaining suitable habitat for wolves in the Grand Canyon region
Because of the critical ecological role played by wolves, in 2004, concerned citizens and conservation leaders joined forces to form a new grassroots organization to restore the wolf to its former range. In 2005, we were officially named the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. Wolves are native to northern Arizona but were eradicated from the region in the early 1900s as part of a wolf extermination program. The Mexican gray wolf is now considered one of the most endangered mammals in North America, with a population of only about 163 individuals restricted to limited portions of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico.
Program Details
HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO
The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project works for the recovery of the Mexican gray wolf. To do this we:
- EDUCATE our communities by sharing our knowledge of the importance of wolves in healthy ecosystems, through public events and presentations in local schools
- MOTIVATE the public to learn about, care for, and respect wolves and their habitats
- ACTIVATE our neighbors and supporters to address government agencies in support of wolf recovery
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MEXICAN WOLF?
For more than 10,000 years the Grand Canyon region was home to wolves. But during the 1900s, wolves were eliminated from the western landscape, and by 1970, no wild Mexican wolves remained in the United States.
In 1976, the Mexican wolf was placed on the endangered species list. To prevent extinction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established a captive breeding program hoping to return the wolves to parts of their historic range. In 1998, eleven Mexican wolves were released from captivity into the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area in eastern Arizona.
Over 20 years have passed since they were first returned to the wild, yet the Mexican wolf is still the rarest of all gray wolves.
THE GRAND CANYON REGION
For a secure future, the Mexican wolf needs more room to roam and establish new packs. The large open landscapes of the Grand Canyon region can provide that room and will be an important part of their full recovery from near extinction.
The Grand Canyon region is perfect habitat for wolves because:
- The region has millions of acres of public land.
- Grand Canyon National Park, where animals are protected, is part of the region.
- There is an abundance of elk and deer as a food source for wolves.
- The region is connected to where wolves now live in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area. If allowed, wolves will disperse naturally to the Grand Canyon region.
- There are few roads.
We all depend on natural ecosystems. Each plant and animal is important. Join us and together we will restore the balance.
