The Mexican grey wolf, Canis lupus baileyi, also known as the “lobo” is one of the smallest and most genetically distinct subspecies of grey wolf. They are typically found in the Southwest United States and the Sierra Madre in Mexico. Mexican wolves were declared functionally extinct in the wild in the 1970s and were added to the Endangered Species Act in 1976. Like many species of wolves the Mexican wolf population declined majorly due to the loss of territory and illegal hunting by humans. Small populations are easily susceptible to inbreeding and inbreeding depression. A bi-national breeding program and recovery plan were created to bring the wolves back from near extinction (SAFE). Different packs were created for this breeding program at zoos and other wildlife centers. As the captive population grew they began to work on growing the wild population. Some of the possible solutions that were considered were the release of captive wolves, the fostering of wolf pups, and cross-breeding with another subspecies of grey wolf. Both populations in the US are increasing at a steady rate either at or above the recovery plan rate. According to the USFWS by 2024 the wild Mexican wolf population has increased by 14% annually since 2010.