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The Mexican gray wolf historically ranged over much of the Southwest and northern Mexico, but was almost wiped out by hunting and trapping.

The Fish and Wildlife Service declared the animal endangered in 1976, and in 1998 state and federal officials started a program to reintroduce the wolves in Southern Arizona and New Mexico.

At the end of last year, there were at least 114 wolves in the two-state reintroduction area, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.