Red and Mexican wolves are going extinct. It is estimated that only 20-30 red wolves remain in the wild, while the population of Mexican gray wolves was recorded to be 319 in 2025. The population of Mexican wolves has seen 10 years of consecutive growth, but the fight to save them is not over––and the race to protect red wolves is only beginning.
Hope remains. Conservation efforts, like captive breeding programs and the construction of wildlife crossings to prevent wolf fatalities on busy roads, are helping to grow red and Mexican gray wolf populations. With the help of our donors, Greater Good Charities is dedicated to saving these species before it's too late.
The main threat to wolves is human activity. Vehicular strikes, poaching, trophy hunting, and habitat loss have caused their numbers to dwindle drastically. In many states, policies are put in place to regulate wolf populations to protect livestock, though conservationists argue the negative impacts of these predator control programs far outweigh the benefits.
Red wolves in particular face the problem of hybridization with coyotes. The less red wolves there are, the more likely they are breed with coyotes––and the more their genetic makeup is lost.
As climate change worsens, the dangers for wolves and other endangered species will also increase. They could continue to lose vital habitat and food sources.
The loss of these wolf species would be detrimental to their environment. Wolves are a keystone species, meaning that their regular activity has a strong impact on their ecosystems.
As apex predators, wolves help to regulate prey species that would otherwise decimate other populations of plants and smaller prey. Balance is necessary for any ecosystem to thrive; without wolves, their ecosystems lose that balance.
As part of our effort to save the red and Mexican gray wolves, Greater Good Charities is working with Wolf Haven International to renovate their wolf enclosures.
We previously built a corridor between two smaller wolf enclosures at the facility, allowing both wolves and staff members to safely move between the areas. Now, we’re returning to Tenino, Washington to remove the old, dilapidated enclosures and install 600-650 feet of fencing for a new enclosure.
These measures will allow the wolf sanctuary to rescue and care for more endangered wolves.
In addition to the renovating wolf sanctuaries, Greater Good Charities is also working to establish wildlife crossings which will help decrease the number of wolves lost to vehicle strikes.
To date, we’ve awarded over $8.1 million in wildlife grants, protected over 1.3 million acres, and safeguarded over 30 endangered species.
You can help the wolves. With every donation, you give hope to endangered species and help Greater Good Charities protect our environment.