ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Mexican gray wolf known as Taylor, famous for repeatedly crossing Interstate 40, was found dead over the weekend on the interstate near Grants, New Mexico. Taylor established a home range last year near Mount Taylor despite a federal rule banning wolves north of Interstate 40. He returned there twice after being removed.

“This is such an unfortunate outcome for Taylor, who showed us so much about how wolves choose their own habitats, regardless of the lines that humans draw on maps,” said Greta Anderson, deputy director of Western Watersheds Project. “But it’s also a positive development that the agencies were letting him stay outside of the artificial boundary for so long and giving him the opportunity to be wild on Mount Taylor. His life firmly demonstrated the suitability of wolf habitat in these mountains, and we can only hope that he’s not the last wolf choosing his own fate in northern New Mexico.”

Taylor was originally found on Mount Taylor in the spring of 2025 and was moved by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish into the Gila National Forest. He walked back to Mount Taylor in July, where he lived peacefully until November, when he was removed by the department again after journeying north.

Upon release he again immediately went north to Mount Taylor where he had been for the past two months.

Taylor had successfully crossed I-40 at least three times in the past but appears to have been hit along the highway over the holiday weekend. He was thought to be almost three years old. He is survived by his mother in the Elk Horn pack in Arizona, a younger brother and likely other pack members without radio collars.

“Taylor’s death is a heartbreaking reminder that highways like I-40 are not just lines on a map, they are lethal barriers for wildlife,” said Claire Musser, executive director of the Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project. “Abolishing I-40 as a management boundary is long overdue. If we are serious about recovery, we must allow wolves to move freely across suitable habitats and invest in wildlife crossings and landscape-scale connectivity so highways no longer function as death traps.”

Taylor is the 11th Mexican gray wolf known to have spent time north of I-40, and the fifth who specifically spent time near Mount Taylor. More than 3,500 people took action and asked the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to let Taylor be allowed to roam free. His Facebook page had more than 700 fans following his journey.

“That Taylor’s death evokes human sadness is testament to how wolves inspire us,” said Mary Katherine Ray, wildlife chair for the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club. “Taylor’s desire to find his own way beyond the officially allowed boundary demonstrated again that a larger part of the natural world than we allow is not broken but still retains what wolves need to make a home.”

“Taylor's death, while tragic, is a powerful reminder that wild wolves face countless barriers to survival but human-imposed barriers shouldn't be part of the equation,” said Regan Downey, director of education and advocacy for the Wolf Conservation Center. “Taylor's steadfast desire to live north of I-40 inspired the nation to support his intrepid movements and dream of a world where wolves are free to roam. May he inspire policy change, as well.”

“Taylor’s death is not a failure of dispersal — it’s a failure of planning,” said Michelle Lute, Ph.D. in wolf conservation and executive director of Wildlife for All. “Taylor was doing exactly what recovering wolves are supposed to do: exploring habitat, testing landscapes and establishing new home ranges for others to follow. What lags behind is our infrastructure and policy. Highways like I-40 will continue to function as lethal, politically imposed barriers until we choose proactive recovery over preventable loss.”

“Taylor’s devastating death highlights the importance of improving wildlife corridors and connectivity across the Land of Enchantment,” said Sally Paez, staff attorney for New Mexico Wild. “Mexican gray wolves instinctually disburse to find mates and prey. They follow the seasonal movement of big game herds, including elk and deer, which travel long distances. The state of New Mexico must continue to prioritize policies that provide the dual benefits of improving wildlife connectivity and enhancing public safety through the prevention of wildlife-vehicle collisions.”

“Once again, a wild, north-bound wolf captured the hearts of New Mexicans and wildlife lovers across the nation and the world in his pursuit of freedom,” said Leia Barnett, New Mexico conservation lead for WildEarth Guardians. “Taylor's tragic death reminds us that our lobos need more from state and federal wildlife agencies if they are to truly recover and thrive as a species. Allowing more wolves to roam north of I-40, installing adequate wildlife crossings, protecting wildlife corridors, and continuing to rely on the best available science to guide recovery efforts need to be paramount in decisions regarding our lobos.”

“I’m mourning this intrepid wolf whose life was cut short while also taking a moment to admire his determination and sheer grit,” said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity. “I can’t help but wonder whether this tragedy could have been avoided if Taylor and potential female mates had been allowed to roam and find each other north of I-40, instead of him crossing south to look for love.”