Ian Weber, a wolf conservationist from Southern Arizona, joined me to discuss the history of wolves in Arizona. We discussed their extirpation from the state and then their reintroduction back into the state in 1998. The reintroduction of the Mexican Grey Wolf into Arizona/New Mexico has been one of the great success stories of predator reintroduction in the country, despite the continued pushback from poachers, ranchers and even state officials. With the wolf back into the web of life in eastern AZ the ecosystem can return to balance as these predators serve a distinct purpose in pushing deer and elk herds to not overgraze. This was a fascinating discussion where I learned a great deal from Ian's expertise on a subject that is his lifelong passion. Wolves were in Arizona long before human beings arrived and they deserve the chance to coexist with us for many generations to come.

Arizona Game and Fish 2020 Report on the Mexican Grey Wolf Recovery Program:

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