17
Feb
Action Alert: Arizona Senate Bill is a Roadblock for Mexican Wolf Recovery
OPPOSE SB1243
Mexican wolf; G&F approval; reporting
Mexican wolf; G&F approval; reporting
Mexican wolf; G&F approval; reporting– (Griffin, Donahue, Worsley, et al.) requires approval by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission prior to any release of Mexican wolves. It also erects additional roadblocks to releases, including requiring that a full DNA profile be provided prior to release.
Requiring the Commission to approve any releases would result in further hindering the recovery of this animal as Game and Fish has been particularly hostile to wolf recovery in recent years (Seven Ways Game and Fish Sabotages Wolf Recovery). It already has a position to only approve cross-fostering and no new adult wolf releases. Cross-fostering has had limited success and is extremely risky and difficult.
The Mexican gray wolf is a critically endangered, native wildlife species that once numbered in the thousands of animals throughout southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, western Texas, and northern Mexico. Its restoration is an opportunity to bring a natural balance and fully-functioning ecosystem back to the wild lands of the Southwest.
Scientific research has shown that the restoration of wolves can have a profoundly positive effect on the ecological health of the landscape. By culling the sick, old, and weak, wolves improve the overall health, vigor, and genetic integrity of elk and deer herds. Through a cascade of interactions, the presence of wolves has been shown to contribute to an increase in the diversity of life throughout entire ecosystems, even in plant communities.
Just 97 Mexican gray wolves remain in the wild today in eastern Arizona and western New Mexico, down from 110 at the beginning of 2015. They are still teetering on the brink of a second extinction in the wild. This is just one of many reasons to oppose bills that threaten the recovery of these highly endangered animals.
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Take Action Now for Mexican Wolves!
Contact your Arizona state legislators to oppose SB1243
Contact information for Arizona State Senate Members
When you call or email (calls are most effective) you can use any of the talking points above.
When you call or email (calls are most effective) you can use any of the talking points above.
