President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that would remove endangered species protection for the grey wolf and the Mexican wolf. The move could allow ranchers to kill the canines to protect their livestock, with the order stating that ranchers play a vital role in the food supply chain and American cultural heritage.
Conservation groups have criticized the decision, warning that it could undermine long-term efforts to recover wolf populations. According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data, the Mexican wolf population in the wild in the U.S. stood at 319 in 2025, an increase from just four when they were reintroduced in 1998. The grey wolf population is estimated at around 18,000 across the U.S., though they remain endangered due to significant habitat loss.
An attempt to delist grey wolves federally in 2022 was stalled by litigation, and some conservationists have indicated plans to challenge any action taken by the Department of the Interior on Trump's order.
The executive order directs Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to determine within 90 days whether the grey and Mexican wolf populations have recovered sufficiently to be removed from the endangered species list. The order notes that U.S. livestock herds are at a 75-year low while beef demand has increased, suggesting more support is needed for the agricultural industry.
Environmental groups, however, have pointed to studies indicating that wolf attacks on livestock are infrequent and have a minimal economic impact on ranchers. "This is a huge distraction to placate a handful of ranchers and make them believe that wolves are a greater threat than President Trump's own policies," said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project. The Wolf Conservation Center has noted that ranchers can receive up to 100% compensation for livestock losses caused by wolves under the current system, with state-funded programs available to deter attacks.
Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project, stated that the Mexican grey wolf is not fully recovered simply because its population has grown, and weakening federal protections would jeopardize decades of recovery work.
The executive order comes as the administration seeks to lower record-high beef prices, influenced by drought and parasite outbreaks affecting U.S. beef stocks. Ranchers have expressed frustration with the administration's decisions, including loosening restrictions on beef imports to address price increases, which they argue puts pressure on their profit margins.
Historically, the U.S. government pursued a campaign to exterminate wolves in the late 19th century, a policy coupled with efforts by farmers and landowners to trap and kill wolves, pushing the species to the brink of eradication. Ranchers continue to view wolves as a nuisance, and killing them remains a federal crime.