12
Nov
Mexican Gray Wolf Expert: 75 Wolves Not Enough
At last count, 75 Mexican gray wolves roam wild in the southwest.
“It’s not nearly enough.”
Kevin Bixby is with the Southwest Environmental Center.
“It’s only a single population”¦subject to calamities that can befall single populations”¦”
Like diseases that could kill a genetically similar wolves.
The animals are on the endangered species list — protected by federal law.
States have the option to cooperate or not. According to Bixby, New Mexico needs to step up its game.
“They’re definitely not supporters of the program”¦it’s more like ‘we better keep an eye on these guys.”
The 75 wolves live in the Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area at the New Mexico – Arizona border. They need a wide area to hunt their main prey — elk.
Trying to fit some of the animals that used to live in Las Cruces would be pretty hard to fit on main street”¦expanding that area would mean a healthier wolf population.
Bixby wants to see the area expanded to stretch from Mexico to the northern border of New Mexico and Arizona”¦. And he wants the number of wolves increased.
“Wolf experts believe that to recover the species, at least two additional populations need to be established”¦total population of at least 750 wolves.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Area, has this to say about the recovery area.
They said “no wolves were translocated or released from captivity to the wild.”
“¦But that 19 wolf pups in five packs were recently born in the wild.
They also say they are “continuing discussions with Mexico to determine effective avenues for bi-national collaboration” on the Mexican wolf recovery effort.”
Bixby doesn’t think everything the Fish and Wildlife Service is doing is wrong.
“What the Fish and Wildlife Service is doing right is they are implementing the federal endangered species act.”
As long as the Mexican gray wolf is on that list, federal law legally protects them, no matter how many roam the desert.
CLICK HERE to watch this interview with Kevin Bixby, of the Southwest Environmental Center.
In this interview, Kevin discusses wolves and tourism.
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Please Act to Save the Lobo!
Here are two ways you can help these critically endangered Mexican wolves:
1. Submit comments on the USFWS proposal that threatens the survival and recovery of Mexican wolves.
Talking points and information on how to submit your comments are here.
You can read the Fish and Wildlife Service Rule Proposal here.
Public comments are being accepted through December 17, 2013. Part of the proposal could help get more wolves into the wild, but most of it threatens the Mexican wolf’s continued survival and recovery.
Your comments are needed to help lobos survive beyond the current crisis.
Talking points and information on how to submit your comments are here.
You can read the Fish and Wildlife Service Rule Proposal here.
2. Your voice is needed at the Fish and Wildlife Services’ public hearings to show support for lobos.
Two hearings are planned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will address the changes proposed to Mexican wolf recovery where the Public will have an opportunity to give comments.
You and other supporters of the Mexican wolf are all that will stand between extinction and survival for these critically endangered, beautiful and intelligent animals.
November 20, 6-9 pm
Embassy Suites
1000 Woodward Place NE
Albuquerque
(505) 245—7100
1000 Woodward Place NE
Albuquerque
(505) 245—7100
December 3, 6 – 8:30 pm
Stand for Wolves at Public Hearing near Pinetop, Arizona!
Stand for Wolves at Public Hearing near Pinetop, Arizona!
Hon-Dah Conference Center
777 Highway 260
Pinetop, AZ
(928) 369—7625
Pinetop, AZ
(928) 369—7625
Please plan to attend one or
both of these hearings.
both of these hearings.
Thank you for everything you do to save these beautiful, intelligent animals from extinction!
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