By Jamie Warren
The Republic
Standing roughly 2 feet tall and weighing about 70 pounds, the Mexican gray wolf is a beautiful, yet often misunderstood creature of the wild.
“They are actually very timid animals,” said Linda Searles, executive director of the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.
The Mexican gray wolf is one of the most endangered mammals in North America, with only 58 remaining since the last official count.
So when an order was placed to kill a Mexican gray wolf two months ago, the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center in north Scottsdale could not resist opening its doors to save the animal’s life.
The female wolf, known as F1188, lived in the Mexican gray wolf recovery area along the Arizona-New Mexico line. She was the alpha female of the Fox Mountain Mexican gray wolf pack and a mother to four pups, Southwest Wildlife officials said.
The wolf was suspected of killing too many cows on a nearby ranch and on Aug. 9, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials signed an order to shoot her.
That is when Southwest Wildlife stepped in.
While the rescued wolf will not be able to return to the wild, she will make the center’s sanctuary her home later this month and may be bred in order to reintroduce more of her kind back into the wild.
“Each one of these species is like a spoke in a wheel and when we lose one we lose the balance,” Searles said. “We’re trying to keep the balance so it’s a healthy environment for all of us.”
Southwest Wildlife proclaimed Saturday Wolf Awareness Day and is inviting guests to spend the day touring its facility and viewing the rescued animals. Tours will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The non-profit organization has 15 Mexican gray wolves as part of the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program. In addition the facility houses black bears, mountain lions, bobcats, javelinas and other creatures.
The event costs $10 for children 12 years and younger and $15 for adults and children over 12.
The center is near 156th Street and Rio Verde Drive. It is not open to the public, except for pre-arranged tours and special programs.
To reserve a spot, call the Southwest Wildlife Education Department at 480-471-3621.
For more information about the center, visit southwestwildlife.org.