County hears update on collared Mexican gray wolf near Luna County line

Cody McDougall of Wildlife Services told the Luna County Commission that a collared male Mexican gray wolf is currently near the county’s northern line and is being monitored.

McDougall said responders have documented tracks and blood consistent with a livestock kill but had not yet completed the ground investigation required to confirm the incident. "We got pictures of tracks, blood, pretty much everything except for me physically being on the ground," he said, adding that investigators will confirm whether the animal killed a calf before a reimbursement or other removal procedures are pursued.

The presentation outlined immediate measures: notifying ranchers in affected areas, conducting telemetry and thermal surveillance, using hazing and deterrents such as vehicles and noise, and employing nonlethal munitions if necessary. McDougall said US Fish and Wildlife will assist and that staff expect to monitor and attempt to push the wolf northward over a matter of days. "We're bringing all the livestock into a pasture right now where I can kinda keep an eye on them tonight," he said.

County officials asked how long monitoring and hazing could continue and whether capture or removal required state or federal authorization; Wildlife Services replied that on‑the‑ground confirmation is required before other actions and that the priority is minimizing harm to livestock while avoiding public safety incidents. McDougall said staff would notify the commission when the investigation is complete.

Why it matters: Ranchers in calving season face heightened risk from transient wolves. The county’s coordinated outreach and Wildlife Services’ monitoring are intended to protect livestock while following federal protocols for Mexican gray wolves.

The commission did not take formal action on the update; Wildlife Services said it would follow up with confirmed findings and any compensation process once an investigation is complete.