Mexican Wolf

Canis lupus baileyi | Mexican Grey Wolf/Grey Wolf
Names: Kizzie and Sydney (Female)

Mexican Wolf laying on the ground with food in its mouth
Two Mexican Wolves standing next to each other in their habitat
Two Mexican Wolves walking through their habitat

Meet Kizzie & Sydney

Known as El lobo, the Mexican wolf is the smallest, rarest, and most genetically distinct subspecies of the grey wolf. Once on the brink of extinction, these resilient animals are now making a slow but steady comeback, thanks to the work of conservationists, government agencies, and AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums like ours.

You can meet our resident wolves, Kizzie and Sydney, right here at the Zoo. Though they were born under human care, they serve as powerful ambassadors for a species that is howling its way back from the edge.

A Wolf Apart

Mexican wolves are smaller than their northern cousins, typically weighing between 50 and 90 pounds. With coats of gray, light brown, and cream, they blend beautifully into the rocky canyons, pine forests, and desert scrublands of the American Southwest.

Like all wolves, they live in tight-knit family units and rely on strong social bonds to hunt, raise young, and survive. In the wild, they feed on:

  • Deer
  • Javelinas (wild pigs)
  • Rabbits
  • Rodents
  • Elk

At the zoo, we mimic this natural diet with exotic canine chow and whole prey items, while strictly following the guidelines of their Species Survival Plan (SSP).

Not Your Average Zoo Wolves

Kizzie and Sydney are part of the Mexican Wolf SAFE, a collaborative recovery program led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with AZA institutions and government agencies in both the U.S. and Mexico—including SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales), Mexico’s national environmental authority.

Our zoo serves as a non-breeding, holding facility within this program. That means Kizzie and Sydney are not currently part of active breeding efforts, but they may still support future pack members—by providing social structure, helping raise pups, or preparing for possible reintroduction to the wild.

To preserve their wild instincts, we follow strict, SSP-approved guidelines:

  • No domestic food sources—they’re never fed products made from farm animals.
  • No man-made toys or dog items—enrichment must mimic wild experiences.
  • Minimal human interaction—we maintain a neutral or even negative relationship.
  • Naturalistic care—quiet habitats, animal scents, logs, bones, and foraging challenges.

Every aspect of their care is designed to prepare them—or future packmates—for life beyond zoo walls.

Back to Top

Fact Sheet

Taxonomy

Species:  Canis lupus
Subspecies:  Canis lupus baileyi
Kingdom:  Animalia  |  Phylum:  Chordata  |  Class:  Mammalia  |  Order:   Carnivora  |  Family:  Canidae  |  Genus:  Canis |

Favorite Enrichment Type

BIG Colorful bird toys!

Weight

  • 50–90 lbs.

Life Span

  • In the Wild: 6 to 8 years
  • In Human Care: Up to 15 years

Diet

  • In the Wild: Elk, deer, javelinas, rabbits, and small rodents
  • At the Zoo: Exotic canine chow and whole prey items.

Geographic Range

Only in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and northern Mexico

Habitat

Mountain forests, grasslands, and scrublands of southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico.

Back to Top

Status: Endangered

Conservation: From Extinction to Recovery

Mexican wolves once roamed widely across the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. But by the mid-20th century, widespread hunting, habitat loss, and government eradication campaigns had nearly wiped them out. By the 1970s, just seven wolves remained.

Thanks to a binational recovery effort, these animals were rescued from the edge of extinction. Coordinated breeding programs, habitat protection, and carefully managed reintroductions have brought their numbers to:

  • ~200 wolves in the wild (Arizona, New Mexico, and small parts of Mexico).
  • 300+ wolves in managed care at zoos and conservation centers.

Agencies like SEMARNAT and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working alongside zoos, aquariums, and wildlife partners, continue to expand protected areas, monitor populations, and promote public education to ensure El lobo’s future.

Why Wolves Matter

Saving the Mexican wolf isn’t just about rescuing one species—it’s about restoring balance to entire ecosystems. Wolves are keystone predators, meaning they help regulate prey populations and promote biodiversity. Their presence supports:

  • Forest and plant regeneration
  • Healthier deer and elk populations
  • Stronger, more resilient habitats

However, their recovery is still delicate. Ongoing challenges include habitat fragmentation, illegal killings, and public misconceptions about wolves.

How You Can Help

Back to Top

How to Find Us

Kizzy and Sydney can be found in the rear of the Forgotten Forest, where they can be viewed from inside the log cabin or from the open-air patio. Have a howling good time watching these magnificent, endangered wolves frolic, slumber, and interact with one another!