Endangered wolf population drops

February 19, 2016 Geezwild

Wildlife managers said the drop was unexpected and disturbing (iStock)

By Laura Zuckerman

The southwestern US population of endangered Mexican grey wolves declined by 12 percent last year after five years of steady growth, leading wildlife advocates to suggest that illegal killings of the beleaguered predators may be to blame.

Wildlife managers said on Thursday (local time) the drop -- from 110 wolves in 2014 to 97 last year -- was unexpected and disturbing.

The tally did not include an estimated 20 more Mexican wolves roaming south of the US border.

"The lower number of Mexican wolves that were counted is a concern, but not a signal that the program is unsuccessful," Jim de Vos, assistant director of wildlife management for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The US population of the Mexican wolf, the rarest