GILA NATIONAL FOREST, N.M. — Something has gone awry -- some
would say everything has -- in the federal government's effort
to reestablish the population of Mexican wolves, North America's
most endangered mammal. Beginning with an initial release of 11
wolves in 1998, the Mexican wolf population in the Southwest was
projected to reach at least 100 by 2006. Three years beyond, the
number of wolves in the wild is half that. Wildlife managers --
following the program's often punitive rules -- have contributed
to the deaths of more than 25 wolves through shooting, trapping,
sedating, penning and relocating the notoriously skittish
animals. A wolf slated for capture died of hyperthermia after a
helicopter chase. At least eight wolves died of stress in
holding pens. Six pups were killed when placed in the care of
another captive pack. The program's most-photographed wolf --
Brunhilda, a young female in the first pack -- died after
federal biologists captured her to perform a routine check; the
animal became stresse