Federal officials are favoring a proposal to boost the population of endangered Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest to at least 300 and expand the area they can roam.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Monday that it's a step to finalizing a decision on changes to a reintroduction program that has stumbled due to legal battles, illegal shootings, politics and other problems.
The agency says the proposal would increase the genetic diversity of the wolves, and lessen impacts to ranchers and potential prey on tribal lands. Wolves eventually would be able to roam Arizona and New Mexico south of Interstate 40.
Ranchers and community leaders in rural areas have opposed expansion efforts.
Wolf supporters have said that wildlife managers need to do more to help the wolves repopulate.
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