Letters to the Editor – Speak Up For More Releases

Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is an excellent way to raise awareness about critically endangered Mexican gray wolves and the steps needed to help them thrive. Surveys of newspaper readers show that the letters page is among the most closely read parts of the paper. It’s also the page policy-makers look to as a barometer of public opinion.

Below are some letters that have been published.

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As a resident of Silver City, I am concerned with the health of the surrounding public lands. As the experience in Yellowstone has proven that a healthy wolf presence benefits the ecology of the region, I would like to see the same benefit accrue to the Gila. Therefore, I am requesting an immediate resumption of wolf reintroduction into the Gila Forests and other previously identified grey wolf historic lands.

KEN BARR

Silver City

My-sprinkle | Your View: Letters to the editor (Feb. 19) | (2/20/2012)

Dear Mr. Tuggle,

I am writing you today to urge you to release more Mexican wolves into the Gila and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. As you undoubtedly know, there have been many illegal killings of Mexican wolves; 38 that are known and about 50 that have simply vanished; probably shot and buried somewhere. There are only about 50 left and they are beginning to suffer the effects of inbreeding. Please allow more to be released to restore the population to a viable species.

We live near the Gila National Forest, about 25 miles from Silver City, NM, and we have been fans of Mexican wolf introduction since the beginning of the program.

JAN and PAT McCREARY

Silver City

My-sprinkle | Your View: Letters to the editor (Feb. 19) | (2/20/2012)

Thanks for the March 29 article, “Groups call for releases of Mexican gray wolves.”

It’s critically important for the Mexican gray wolves’ survival to have the wolves introduced that have already been conditioned to avoid livestock. There are only 58 left in the wild and they need the diversity in their gene pool to survive.

The majority of people want the wolves to be introduced; people care about the wolves surviving. The ranchers’ concerns are unfounded as these wolves that have been waiting for four years have been through behavior modification conditioning to avoid livestock. There is no excuse and there is no time to wait.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has to listen and respond to the wishes of the people — now. Just because he was a rancher, he shouldn’t ignore the wishes of the majority of people; more than 77 percent of the folks in Arizona and New Mexico want the wolves released.

He is no longer a rancher, he’s the secretary of the interior. He must do his job and release the wolves now.

Nikki Nafziger

Vallejo

Oakland Tribune, April 4, 2012

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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 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Click here for more letter writing tips.