Good News In the Press: Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Team Begins Work

Although brief, the article below describes essential movement forward for Mexican gray wolf recovery. Scientists, conservationists, and other wolf supporters have advocated strongly for years for a new Recovery Plan to replace the outdated, inadequate 1982 Mexican gray wolf Recovery Plan.

This article appeared in several media outlets. This is a key opportunity to remind decision-makers and readers that if legislation to remove endangered species protections from Mexican wolves passes, all of the progress made so far, including the long-awaited convening of the Recovery Planning Team, will be negated. Please write a letter to the editor and submit it to the media outlets listed after the article.

Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Team Begins Work       
The group that will revamp the recovery plan for the wolf held its first meeting this week A group of scientists, wildlife managers and others has convened for the first meeting of a team charged with revamping the recovery plan for the endangered Mexican gray wolf.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Thursday that the team had its first meeting this week.

The team is being led by Peter Siminski of the mammology department at The Living Desert wildlife park in California. Siminski has worked on past efforts to revise the wolf recovery plan.

The agency also appointed two new managers for the recovery program. Sherry Barrett will be the recovery coordinator and Elizabeth Jozwiak will be the field project coordinator.

Part of the effort in revamping the recovery plan will be establishing criteria for recovering and delisting the wolf in the southwestern United States.
 
PLEASE SUBMIT BRIEF LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO THESE PAPERS, thanking them for this good news and urging your Senators and fellow readers to oppose bills that will remove endangered species protections from wolves.

Albuquerque Journal-New Mexico

Greenfield Daily Reporter-Indiana

Letter Writing Tips & Talking Points
Below are a few suggestions for ensuring your message gets through clearly; if you need additional help or want someone to review your letter before you send it, email it to info@mexicanwolves.org:

* Stress that only about 50 Mexican gray wolves remain in the wild; now that a new Recovery Plan is finally moving forward, it is not the time to remove them from the protection of the Endangered Species Act.

* Encourage President Obama and https://www.govtrack.us/congress/membersto fight all bills that would weaken the Endangered Species Act and place wolves at greater risk of extinction and ask your fellow citizens to speak up against them.

* Point out that these bills set a precedent that endangers all wildlife.

* Talk about your personal connection to wolves and why the issue is important to you. If you’re a grandmother wanting your grandchildren to have the opportunity to hear wolves in the wild, or a hunter who recognizes that wolves make game herds healthier, or a businessperson who knows that wolves have brought millions in ecotourism dollars to Yellowstone, say so..

* Keep your letter between 150-300 words, depending on the paper’s limit.

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

More background, talking points, and more editorial contacts are here.

A more detailed  US Fish and Wildlife Service News Release on the new Recovery Plan Team is here.

Photo courtesy of the Endangered Wolf Center