Mexican Ranchers Embrace Wolves Instead of Hunting Them: A Tale of Peaceful Coexistence

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In Mexico, reintroducing wolves might have reignited conflicts with ranchers. However, by helping them make their operations more profitable, scientists have laid the groundwork for peaceful coexistence.

State of Chihuahua (Mexico), report

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On the trunk of a large pine tree, Carmen García adjusts the strap of a camera trap and points it towards the back of a small valley carved into the rocks of the Sierra Madre Occidental. She visits monthly to change the batteries and retrieve the memory cards from her devices.

As a biologist for the Tonkawa Foundation, which is reintroducing the Mexican wolf, she manages about thirty cameras spread out at one-kilometer intervals across the El Terraceño ranch, whose owner supports the animal’s reintroduction.

At an average elevation of 2,500 meters above sea level, this area in the northwest of the State of Chihuahua, Mexico, is currently “the only place where wild wolves are found”, according to the scientist.

Although they are elusive and roam vast territories—some individuals can travel up to 60 kilometers in one night—Carmen is almost certain to find wolf images here: paw prints spotted in the dusty soil by the local caretaker confirm their presence.

In Mexico, wolves have returned, and some ranchers are on their side. Jaime Ruffo is a cattle rancher managing 300 head of cattle in semi-freedom in the heart of the forest. He works alone here all week and warmly welcomes the scientists who visit monthly to monitor the predators.

Jaime has no issues with wolves. On the contrary, “they are very beautiful”, he says, recalling one of his rare encounters with the animal. This blue-eyed native of Chihuahua was born and has lived his entire life in this rugged, isolated territory, working on ranches since his teenage years.

Speaking from experience, Jaime explains that livestock predation, especially of calves, has always been a reality. In his herds, “pumas and coyotes cause the most damage”. He sometimes fears the bears that also roam these forests, but the wolf leaves him quite at ease.

The wolf was first reintroduced to Mexico in the neighboring state of Sonora in 2011, then migrated here to stay. Thus, the subsequent eighteen releases all took place in the mountains of Chihuahua. Jaime Ruffo is clear: “the wolf changes nothing” in his ranching duties.

While he acknowledges that other local ranchers might be worried or critical of the predator’s return, he remains stoic: “No one can tell me anything. I’ve spent my whole life here with these animals, and I know the wolf is not a problem.”

Skepticism towards the wolf is still strong in this territory where livestock farming plays a major role. The species was victim to extermination campaigns that lasted until the mid-20th century and was declared extinct in 1987.

Its reintroduction is considered a success by the Mexican government, which reclassified the wolf as merely “endangered” in 2019. Estimates suggest that about forty wild individuals are now free in Mexico.

“I like the idea that the species we ourselves wiped out are coming back; they are welcome”, states Eduardo Payán, the owner of the El Terraceño ranch, who continues his family’s ranching legacy. For him, it is now clear that this agricultural practice should be allied with environmental conservation and wolf protection.

“These animals originate from this region, it’s their territory. We must respect their space, as we are part of the same ecosystem”, he says. He even believes in the benefits of the wolf’s return in regulating the populations of other predators on his farm.

Eager to “recover the forests, streams, and wildlife of the past”, Eduardo was the first in Chihuahua to agree to the release of a pair of wolves on his land. This commitment has caused conflicts with neighboring farmers: “My neighbors think these wolves belong to me”, he says.

Eduardo is aware that attacks on livestock are inevitable. He willingly accepts what he calls this “ecological tax” imposed by the wildlife, especially since insurance covers a small portion of the value of the killed animal. According to him, if other ranchers show reluctance, it’s for economic reasons: “Many are small producers who need more support.”

In Chihuahua, biologist Cristian Aguilar leads the wolf reintroduction project. He and Carmen García moved to the region nearly 15 years ago with the sole aim of convincing cattle producers to embrace their vision of the wolf, although it has not been easy.

In northern Mexico, ranching culture is a significant part of the regional identity. It’s also a major activity in Chihuahua, as the state leads in exporting calves to the United States.

As an ecologist, Cristian admits it was challenging to understand the ranchers and the industry’s issues. However, he explains that the long-term survival of the wolf must involve its “coexistence” with human and agricultural activities.

So, seven years ago, the scientists gambled on winning over the ranchers by creating a group of organic meat producers. “A rancher’s attitude is very different once he’s economically successful. Previously, we were focused on keeping wolves away from livestock, but now we work to bring them closer to the ranchers”, Cristian summarizes.

The group currently includes six ranchers with lengthy careers who were attracted by “the idea of being able to ranch with the Mexican wolf” according to Héctor Mendoza. He hopes that the group will become a model for profitable farms “that operate and show results”.

Thanks to guidance from Cristian and Carmen, these ranchers have obtained organic certification and thus increased their income. The meat from their cattle sells for three times that of conventional meat. The profits help them offset the losses due to predators.

Meanwhile, the ranchers have implemented rotational grazing, divided their pastures, and reduced their herd sizes by half to minimize predation risk. The group identifies as “pro-wolves” even though the animal remains a topic of conversation among farmers, says Sebastián Pineda, because “the old folks told a lot of stories”.

Alonso Olivas recalls that his own parents participated in extermination campaigns. As a child, he was always curious about the animal he had heard about, so he decided to lend his lands for releases as well. “I was excited! Sure, at first I had problems with attacks but it didn’t have a big impact”.

The producer is pleased to often receive “visits” from wolves on his land, showing a photo of a young one captured on a snowy day: “I want them to exist, it all makes sense.”