The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is going to kill a female Mexican gray wolf following a series of cattle depredations in southwestern New Mexico.

This will be the first time since 2007 that Fish and Wildlife will be killing a wolf because of depredation problems.

The order calls for the shooting of the alpha female of the fox mountain pack.

Wolf Recovery Coordinator Sherry Barrett says it was a difficult decision given that the population of endangered wolves in New Mexico and Arizona has been struggling since reintroduction began 14 years ago.

Wolf supporters are upset with the decision. They're concerned about the ability of the pack's pups to survive without their mother.