In the News: Latest attempt to reintroduce Mexican wolves to the wild fails

A pair of Mexican wolves that had been waiting for their final release into the wild in Arizona are heading back to captivity after federal officials determined that the alpha male of an existing  pack behaved aggressively toward them.

Authorities with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had pre-positioned the male and female in a temporary pen since they were removed in April from the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.  The wolves had been in a fenced area to allow them to acclimate to the release area in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, in what authorities believed to be unoccupied wolf habitat.

The pair and their newborn pups were waiting to be released but wildlife officials noticed another wolf pair acting aggressively toward the penned wolves, indicating that they would defend their territory against the interlopers.

It was the second setback for the program in recent weeks. A male wolf was recaptured after he left his mate and their pups after being released last month.

There are only about 75 Mexican wolves in the wild, and the Fish and Wildlife Service said last week that it intends to place the animal on the Endangered Species List.

julie.cart@latimes.com

This article was published by the LA Times.
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Read the US Fish and Wildlife Service Press Release here.

The letters to the editor page is one of the most widely read, influential parts of the newspaper. One letter from you can reach thousands of people and will also likely be read by decision-makers.  Tips and talking points for writing your letter are below, but please write in your own words, from your own experience.

Letter Writing Tips & Talking Points

The Coronado Pack and many more Mexican gray wolves must be released to the wild.

• At last official count, only 75 Mexican gray wolves, including only 3 breeding pairs were found in the wild.

• This pair of wolves would be the first pair released in Arizona in over four years and should be released right away, in a different location if necessary, and not placed back into captivity.

• The wild population of Mexican wolves is at tremendous risk due to its small size and genetics.

• The US Fish and Wildlife Service has decided to place three of the last four wolves slated to live in the wild back in captivity. This shows why many releases, rather than just a few, are so important to ensure the wolves’ success.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should manage Mexican wolves to ensure their recovery and not risk extinction again.

• Even though Mexican gray wolves were released to their native lands in Arizona and New Mexico 15 years ago, the wild population continues to struggle, not because of any lack on the part of the wolves, but because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service refuses to make the changes needed for these wolves to succeed.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service should address the genetic  issues by ending the boundary rule that limits the wolves’ movement and by allowing new releases throughout the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area, not just in Arizona where releases are continually obstructed by AZ Game and Fish.

• The Fish and Wildlife Service should increase protections for these wolves, and expedite the Mexican gray wolf recovery planning process to replace the outdated 1982 plan with a scientifically valid plan to guide recovery.

Talk about your personal connection to wolves and why the issue is important to you

• Wolves are a benefit to the West and are essential to restoring the balance of nature.

• Polling showed 77% of Arizona voters and 69% of New Mexico voters support the Mexican wolf reintroduction.

• Wildlife biologists believe that Mexican wolves will improve the overall health of the Southwest and its rivers and streams — just as the return of gray wolves to Yellowstone has helped restore balance to its lands and waters.

• Mexican gray wolves are unique native animals. They are the rarest, most genetically distinct subspecies of gray wolf in North America and the most endangered wolf in the world.

• Wolves generate economic benefits – a University of Montana study found that visitors who come to see wolves in Yellowstone contribute roughly $35.5 million annually to the regional economy.

Keep your letter brief, between 150-300 words.

Provide your name, address, occupation, and phone number; your full address, occupation, and phone number will not be published, but they are required in order to have your letter published.

Submit your letter to the LA Times here and copy it to USFWS Regional Director Benjamin Tuggle: RDTuggle@fws.gov or call the US Fish and Wildlife Service: (505) 761-4748 or (505) 248-6920
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