ALBUQUERQUE -- The reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves to a mountain range just south of the U.S.-Mexico border as part of an effort to re-establish the endangered species is off to a rocky start.

Correspondence between Mexican wildlife officials and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirms four out of the five wolves released by Mexico's Environment Department last October are dead from poisoning.

Mexican officials say one wolf was found in November and the other three in December.

Necropsies were done and results were positive for warfarin, a blood thinner that's commonly used in rat poison and pesticide.

Mexican law enforcement agents are investigating.

Supporters of wolf reintroduction in the American Southwest are still hoping releases in Mexico can provide a genetic boost to a small population of wolves in New Mexico and Arizona.




© Copyright Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.