Mexican Wolf Back In Captivity After Weeks In Wild

After just three weeks in the wild, federal wildlife managers say a male Mexican gray wolf was captured in New Mexico and removed from the wild after he failed to catch the attention of a breeding female.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the male wolf — dubbed No. 1133 — was intended as a new mate for the Bluestem pack's alpha female. His release in early January was timed to coincide with early-season breeding activities.

The Arizona pack wanted nothing to do with the male wolf, and it ended up wandering into New Mexico.

Officials say the male wolf has since been paired with a wild-born female at a captive breeding center. Future plans call for the pair to be released into the wild.