In the 1970s, the Mexican gray wolf was nearly hunted into extinction, with just seven remaining. So began one of the biggest success stories in wildlife conservation; now a population of nearly 300 canines survives and grows in Arizona and New Mexico. The story of the Mexican gray wolf continues on at the Albuquerque BioPark.
On Saturday, Nov. 15, the Albuquerque Biopark hosted a first look at its recently completed “Mexican Wolf Conservation Facility.” The BioPark does not yet have wolves living in its conservation area; the visitation time was deliberately set between the completion of the habitat and the arrival of the animals — which are expected to move in during early 2026 — as the facility will be closed off to the public.
Lynn Tupa, associate director of the Albuquerque BioPark, said the area is split into five habitats spread across four and a half acres. Each habitat is furnished with a den, a pool, drinkers and frost-free pipes. Between each habitat are gates, allowing the keepers to move the wolves while minimizing handling and stress. The goal of the facility is to keep the habitat as similar to the Mexican grey wolves’ natural habitat as possible, Tupa said.
“When (the wolves) are over here, we’re not here to talk to the wolves. We are not here to throw them toys. We’re here to do the work as quick as we can, as safe as we can, with minimum impact to them,” Tupa said.
The BioPark seeks to minimize contact between the wolves and humans, as becoming too familiar with humans can endanger the animals, who may then approach humans after they’re released, putting the animals at risk, Tupa said. Consequently, the Nov. 15 event will be the only time the conservation will be open to visitors.
“This is an opportunity for our visitors and the community to know what we’re doing, but I’m sorry that they won’t be able to see it,” Tupa said.
Conservationists and keepers will observe the wolves through cameras, particularly during breeding season. Once a female wolf has given birth within the facility, some of the pups from her litter will be introduced into the wild using a process known as “cross-fostering.” The pups will be slipped into the litter of a wild Mexican gray wolf pack, who will adopt the pups. These efforts seek to increase the population and genetic diversity of the wild Mexican gray wolf, Tupa said.
“We’re dedicated to the Mexican wolf. They’re our local species,” Tupa said.
The project took about two years and roughly $4 million to construct, Director of the Albuquerque BioPark Brandon Gibson said. In collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the Albuquerque BioPark has been the birthplace of over 79 Mexican wolf pups since conservation efforts began, Gibson said.
“We knew from our little one acre side of the zoo that we could do more and had the space to do more here. We built this five acre facility with up to five pens,” Gibson said.
While visitors will not be able to directly interact with the wolves in the conservation facility, the Mexican gray wolf exhibit will remain open.
“The BioPark here in New Mexico is not just a zoo and aquarium and botanic gardens. It’s a true conservation facility. So, as (people) continue to support the Biopark, they’re supporting New Mexico conservation through the wolves, the freshwater fish, the pollinators, the invertebrates,” Gibson said. “This really is the hub and the epicenter. We have Wolf Conservation Day (and) Wolf Awareness Day. We’re still going to have Mexican gray wolf habitat at the zoo. Guests are still going to be able to see the wolves, interact with the wolves and help support the wolves.”
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Addison Fulton is the culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo
