Congressman Paul A. Gosar (AZ-09) has commented on the recent 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 protection under the Endangered Species Act and separate management of its 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),” stated Congressman Gosar.
Gosar cited data showing that since their reintroduction into Arizona, Mexican wolf numbers have increased. He referenced a 2024 declaration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service noting that the population had nearly doubled its recovery goal in the United States, with an additional 350 wolves held in captive breeding facilities. Despite these figures, he pointed out that Mexican wolves have remained listed as endangered since 1982.
He further argued that since then, livestock losses attributed to Mexican wolves have resulted in financial strain for ranchers and prompted disaster declarations from local governments in New Mexico, Arizona, and Indian nations.
“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,” said Gosar.
The Arizona Cattle Growers Association expressed support for Gosar’s efforts. Its president Brian deGanahl said: “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.”
Tom Paterson, President-Elect of New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA), also voiced concern over public safety and economic impacts: “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,” stated Paterson.
Paul Gosar has previously demonstrated strong electoral support within his district; he won his most recent general election against Quacy Smith with 65.3% of votes compared to Smith’s 34.7%. In 2022, he defeated Richard Grayson by an even wider margin.
