Great Letters to the Editor!
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. We applaud these fine letter writers, who are making a difference for endangered lobos!
These excellent letters to the editor were published in the Arizona Daily Sun.
Why not simply release more wolves?
May 31, 2015
To the editor:
Thank you for your article in Thursday’s paper about cross-fostering wolves. I have a Masters of Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. Since returning home to Flagstaff, I have followed the recovery of Mexican gray wolves. It seems that the Arizona Game and Fish Commission is hyping the risky and complex technique of cross-fostering as a substitute for, instead of an addition to, simply releasing more wolves, which is greatly needed.
Countless studies show that wolves are an important part of their ecosystems. They help everything from controlling coyote populations and keeping deer and elk herds healthy to improving the overall health of the Southwest’s rivers and streams. Just as the return of gray wolves to Yellowstone has helped restore balance to its lands and waters.
I am appalled to find that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which has been stalling on a science-based recovery plan for over 30 years, intends to wait another two-three years to complete a plan. The agency must move forward with the release of the draft plan it already has, based on the work of the science planning subgroup, for public review now. The future of our ecosystems depend on wolves.
BRITTNEY KAY WALSH
Flagstaff
Cross-fostering pups a partial solution
May 31, 2015
To the editor:
Thank you for your very interesting article reporting on the cross-fostering of endangered Mexican wolf pups to help increase the genetic diversity of the species. I am a resident of Arizona and have long taken a great interest in the recovery of the Mexican wolf, a recovery I and many others wholeheartedly support.
As the article correctly points out, the species is currently at great risk of extinction, in part, due to inbreeding. The cross-fostering of pups is a promising tactic, but cannot be relied upon to save the species. More adult Mexican wolves need to be released into the wild and the rate of release must be increased immediately if we are to have any hope of saving the species. The USFWS has delayed too long because of politics in completing the recovery plan, a plan that they are mandated by law to put in place.
These beautiful animals are critical to healthy, balanced ecosystems in the Southwest. It is time they are given the support they need to take their place in our wild lands. Cross-fostering of pups can and should be part of the strategy, but science tells us that more and timely releases of adult wolves are crucial to successful recovery.
TONI PROTHERO
Flagstaff
Release More Wolves from Captivity
May 17, 2015
To the editor:
Thank you for the May 9th article about captive breeding of Mexican gray wolves. As a local business owner, I am aware of the economic benefits wolves can bring. Around $36 million was generated each year by the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone. Add to this the significant ecological benefits of reintroducing wolves, and we have some excellent reasons to want the Mexican wolf reintroduction to succeed in Arizona.
Which means it’s high time that Arizona Game and Fish stopped throwing up obstacles and that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service start doing its job to recover el lobo, starting with releasing more wolves from captivity into the wild, which is where wild animals belong.
MARK GANT
Flagstaff
You can find articles and letter to the editor talking points and submission info at the links below:
- Arizona Daily Sun article
- Las Cruces Sun-News article
- Albuquerque Journal article
