"Recovery of endangered species is never easy, nor is the road to success a straight line," Jim deVos, assistant director of wildlife management for the Arizona Game and Fish Department, said in a press release from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, announcing the results of their annual survey. "The lower number of Mexican wolves that were counted is a concern, but not a signal that the program is unsuccessful. It is important to look at a number of population demographic factors, such as the number of pups born this year, which is only two less than last year. Of the 21 wolf packs on the ground today, 10 successfully reared a litter through the end of this year. Wildlife populations vary on an annual basis, so the decline in the number of Mexican wolves counted this year is not out of character."