Congressman Paul A. Gosar (AZ-09) has released a statement following a legislative hearing in the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries regarding H.R. 4255, known as the Enhancing Safety for Animals (ESA) Act. The bill, introduced by Gosar, seeks to remove the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and separate its management between populations in the United States and Mexico.
“I am very grateful to Chair Hageman for holding today’s critical legislative hearing on the importance of advancing my legislation delisting Mexican wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA),” said Congressman Gosar.
Gosar cited population growth since the species was reintroduced to Arizona, referencing a 2024 declaration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that stated the Mexican wolf population had nearly doubled its recovery goal in the United States. He also noted that an additional 350 wolves are housed in captive breeding facilities. Despite these increases, he pointed out that “the wolf has remained on the Endangered Species list since 1982.”
He raised concerns about economic impacts: “Since that time, Mexican wolves have preyed on cattle, horses, elk, sheep and even family pets, causing significant financial losses and economic hardship on family-run ranches as the uncontrolled and unmanaged wolf populations have been allowed to roam free.” According to Gosar, local governments in New Mexico, Arizona and Indian nations have issued disaster declarations due to losses linked to wolf activity.
“Now a stable population, the Mexican wolf has grown steadily since being reintroduced to the wild. Today’s legislative hearing was an important next step in ensuring my legislation delisting the Mexican wolf from the ESA is brought to the House floor for a vote,” he added.
Arizona Cattle Growers Association President Brian deGanahl commented: “The Arizona Cattle Growers Association is grateful for Congressman Gosar’s leadership in finally addressing the damaging Mexican wolf program. The original recovery benchmark of the wolf population was met years ago. It makes no sense for ranchers to bear the ongoing loss of their livestock because we are waiting for Mexico to increase its wolf population. It is time to delist these predators and let American ranchers continue to raise high-quality beef.”
New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association President-Elect Tom Paterson shared his perspective: “Rural communities are currently facing the grave consequences from an apex predator that should be delisted. Due to past management focused principally on population numbers, we no longer just have a livestock crisis with Mexican wolves. Mexican wolves now stalk local kids and the elderly, snatch and kill cats and dogs off front porches in town and even kill our kids’ horses. Wolves are a constant presence around our homes and school yards. Our residents are reluctant to walk in the woods because of wolves. Mexican wolves have also killed my cattle, causing severe economic stress to our operation and to other producers. Thank you to the Subcommittee members for considering this critical legislation and to Congressman Paul Gosar for introducing it.”
Paul Gosar won reelection against Quacy Smith in 2024 with over 65% of votes cast; he previously defeated Richard Grayson in 2022 with nearly 98% of votes.
