The corpse of a Mexican grey wolf, a species currently on the endangered list, was discovered Friday in the Blue Range recovery area of Arizona. The wolf belonged to the Elk Horn Pack, a wolf pack native to the Arizona region. The wolf’s demise was announced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Services.

FWS has long been concerned with shootings and trappings of the wolf, especially as they appear to number only 83 in New Mexico and Arizona. Prior to 1977, the wolves had been completely extinguished from the location; in 1998, as part of a major recovery program, wolves were re-introduced to the Blue Range Recovery Area.

The wolves’ presence has created a clash between FWS officials and local ranchers, the latter of whom are now struggling to defend their livestock from the grey wolves. A recent rule change designated the wolves’ status as 10J, which means that biologists and wildlife conversationists can participate more in the handling of the population.

“Over the last 16 years, we have learned a great deal about managing this wild population of Mexican Wolves,” said FWS Southwest Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle. “These proposed revisions to the original 10J rule reflect some of the necessary management changes as we move forward with wolf reintroductions, while being responsive to the diverse needs of local communities.”

Robert Mansell, the chief of Arizona’s Game and Fish Commission, has argued otherwise. As the rule doesn’t cap the amount of wolves allowed in the area, “”It does not contain the elements required to manage wolves in balance [with local fauna and livestock].”

Farmers and ranchers are not currently allowed to shoot grey wolves due to the animals’ 10J status- even if the wolves are actively attacking livestock.

The FWS is defending its decision to move the grey wolves to a 10J status. A spokesperson for the agency recently commented that they have “met with hundreds of stakeholders representing a diversity of perspectives to ensure that our reintroduction of Mexican wolves takes their interests into account.”