El Paso, Texas – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that tasks the U.S. Department of the Interior with a 90‑day review of the gray wolf and Mexican wolf under the Endangered Species Act. The order emphasizes the administration’s commitment to ranchers, stating that “more can and should be done to support this critical industry.”
What the order requires
The Interior Secretary must determine whether each species has met recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting. If the criteria are met, the department will begin the process to remove or downgrade the species’ protected status.
Potential impact on Texas livestock
Should delisting occur, the Interior and Agriculture departments will encourage states to remove wolves from any state‑specific protection lists and to revise standards for lethal takings. Texas ranchers, who have long cited wolf predation as a threat to cattle and sheep, view the move as a significant step toward safeguarding their herds.
Background on the wolves
Gray wolves were listed as endangered in 1978 across the contiguous United States and Mexico, except for populations in Minnesota, which were classified as threatened. The Mexican wolf, a subspecies of the gray wolf, was listed as endangered in 1976 after numbers fell dramatically due to conflicts with livestock. A binational captive‑breeding program was launched to prevent extinction.
Local conservation efforts
The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens has played a role in the Mexican wolf’s recovery, participating in a cross‑fostering program that introduced captive‑born pups into the wild in 2021 and 2022. The zoo reports that one of the released wolves later paired with a wild female in May 2024.
Administration’s rationale
President Trump’s order reflects a broader effort to balance wildlife conservation with the economic realities of American families who depend on agriculture. By reviewing the status of these predators, the administration aims to ensure that federal protections do not unduly burden ranchers while still considering scientific recovery benchmarks.
For the full text of the executive order, visit the White House website.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
