Here is a comprehensive summary of the Wikipedia article on the Mexican wolf:

The Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi), also known as the lobo, is the smallest and most genetically distinct gray wolf subspecies in North America, historically ranging from the southwestern U.S. (Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas) into Mexico. After being driven to near-extinction in the wild by the mid-1900s through hunting, trapping, and poisoning, it was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1976, prompting a critical rescue that captured five wild wolves in Mexico between 1977 and 1980. These five survivors became the foundation of a captive breeding program, and starting in 1998, captive-bred wolves were released into recovery areas in Arizona and New Mexico to recolonize their historical range. As of 2026, the population has rebounded to at least 319 wild wolves in the U.S. and 45 in Mexico, plus 380 in captivity—a dramatic recovery from the 11 individuals released in 1998. Notably, its ancestors are believed to have been among the first gray wolves to enter North America after the extinction of the Beringian wolf, and it is distinguished by its smaller size (50–80 lbs) and darker, more variable coat.