On the range

Original story by: Wng.org Last updated: Oct 17, 2025
On the range

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  • Context: This article summarizes Kim Henderson's experience in southern New Mexico, focusing on the harsh realities and beauty of life in a remote frontier-like region. It highlights the challenges faced by cattle ranchers due to the reintroduction of Mexican wolves and the resulting financial and emotional toll.

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  • Detailed Summary:
    • Southern New Mexico is described as a remote and beautiful area, a four-hour drive from Albuquerque, with a population of 67 in the town of Luna.
    • Life in this region is characterized by isolation, with long drives to grocery stores and schools, and a reliance on local pick-up points for deliveries.
    • Ranchers in the area have a long history, with some families living there for five generations.
    • The ranching lifestyle is financially precarious, as exemplified by a rancher who lost $150,000 worth of calves over three seasons due to challenges not faced by previous generations.
    • The reintroduction of Mexican wolves has significantly impacted daily life. For instance, wolves killed a prize-winning mare valued at $30,000, devastating a teenage rodeo competitor.
    • The presence of wolves is causing fear among residents, with wolves entering towns, yards, and preying on pets, leading to anxieties about children playing outdoors.
    • The situation raises a question of coexistence, framed as "whose right to freedom is going to prevail here – man or beast?"

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