ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico: Officials in a rural New Mexico county say Mexican gray wolves are attacking livestock and even taking pets from front yards. These wolves, which appear undaunted by people, have raised so much concern that local leaders have declared a state of emergency.

At a meeting in Catron County, ranchers and residents—some from as far as Arizona—spoke for nearly three hours about their struggles with wolves. Many shared fears for their animals and families. Tom Paterson, a rancher, said he worries about his grandson playing outside, especially since wolves recently killed a steer near his home.

County officials have warned residents to stay alert when outside and closely watch their children and pets. The problem isn't just in New Mexico—ranchers in Oregon and California are also reporting more aggressive wolf attacks on livestock. In response, two counties in California have declared states of emergency, and a sheriff in another county has requested state assistance.

Ranchers in New Mexico and Arizona have opposed the reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves since the 1990s. Although there are programs to compensate for lost livestock, ranchers say wolves threaten their way of life, which is already difficult due to drought and rising costs.

On the other hand, environmentalists argue that Mexican wolves require protection and reintroduction to ensure a healthy population. They point out that no recorded attacks on humans have ever occurred.

Local officials worry that wolves are becoming too accustomed to being around people. Catron County's sheriff stated that one was recently spotted in a community area. While there are at least 286 Mexican wolves in New Mexico and Arizona, federal officials admit they don't know the exact number. They also claim that wolf attacks on livestock are decreasing, with 100 confirmed kills reported in 2024; however, ranchers believe the actual number is much higher.

To reduce conflicts, wildlife managers scared off wolves 290 times last year and say they are committed to helping ranchers. However, Catron County argues that the wolf program has disrupted local life. Their resolution requests emergency financial aid and calls for the governor to deploy the National Guard for assistance. The governor has not yet responded.

Similar problems exist in other states. In Oregon, ranchers hired additional workers and purchased night vision goggles to monitor their herds after a surge in wolf attacks. The state declared an emergency in February and later had to kill a wolf that wouldn't stay away from livestock.

In California, two counties have already declared emergencies, and another is seeing more wolf activity. In Colorado, a group is collecting signatures to let voters decide whether to reintroduce wolves in 2026. Other states, such as Montana and Idaho, are considering expanding wolf hunting to manage populations.

Disagreements over wolf management have led to years of legal and political battles. In the Southwest, a federal court is still deciding on rules for managing Mexican gray wolves and their recovery area.